There is a confirmed case of measles in New Jersey, the state’s Department of Health announced on its website Friday.
It warned residents to be aware of the “highly contagious virus” and make sure they are up to date with their MMR — measles, mumps and rubella — vaccinations.
An infected Monmouth County resident, who caught it while traveling internationally, is the first known case in the Garden State, as of Oct. 10.
The health department said symptoms could present themselves in people up until Oct. 29, however.
It also listed the places the infected person traveled to in the state — Livoti’s Old World Market and El Rancho Mexican Restaurant in Freehold, International Longshoreman Association Strike, Elizabeth Chassis Depot in Elizabeth, Atlantic Health Immediate Care in Marlboro and the ER of Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune City.
Symptoms include a high fever, which can spike to more than 104 degrees, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes and a rash.
The rash, which typically shows up three to five days following initial symptoms, starts as red spots on the face at the hairline, and then spreads to the neck, torso, arms, legs and feet.
Measles can present grave health issues, especially in those younger than 5, according to the CDC. It can also lead to pneumonia and encephalitis, and cause pregnant women to miscarry, or deliver premature or low birth weight babies.
The virus spreads through air transmission, after those infected sneeze or cough, and can remain in the air for up to hours. Nearly nine out of 10 who come in contact with an infected person will get it, if they are not adequately protected against it with the vaccine.
In 2000, measles were officially eliminated in the US.
Every year, however, the disease is brought into the country by unvaccinated travelers.
The NYC Department of Health reported that there have been 13 measles cases in the five boroughs, as of Aug. 23.
