Measles alert for Newark Airport

Someone who was infected with measles went through Terminal C at Newark-Liberty International Airport. on March 4.

As a result, health officials in the Garden State are putting out a warning for anyone who may have been at Newark Airport on March 4 at 9 p.m. through March 5 at 9:30 a.m.

The man had arrived from Aruba and departed for California from Terminal C.

If you became infected, you could develop sumptoms as late as March 26. You should contact your health care provider as soon as possible.

Symptoms include include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. It can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Measles infection in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or a low-birth-weight baby. Measles is easily spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.

“Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97 percent effective in preventing measles, so I urge all residents across the state to get vaccinated to protect their health. Anyone who has not been vaccinated or has not had measles is at risk if they are exposed,” said Dr. Christina Tan, state epidemiologist. “We urge everyone to check to make sure they and their family members are up-to-date on measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations.

The NJ Dept. of Health details what  you can do to prevent contracting measles and what to do when you've been infected. Visit this LINK.