Officials: Potential measles exposure at Newark Liberty International Airport
NEW JERSEY (WTXF) - Officials are warning of a potential measles exposure at the Newark Liberty International Airport.
According to officials, Monday, March 12, an international traveler with a confirmed case of measles--a highly contagious disease--arrived in Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport from Brussels and departed for Memphis from Terminal C. The individual, a young child, was infectious on that day and may have traveled to other areas of the airport.
If you were at the airport between 12:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m, you may have been exposed to measles, and if infected could develop symptoms as late as April 2. If you develop symptoms of measles, the Department of Health recommends that you call a health care provider before going to a medical office or emergency department. Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.
New Jersey residents identified as potentially exposed on the ill individual's flights will be notified by their local health department.
If you have been exposed, you are at risk if you have not been vaccinated or have not had measles. Measles symptoms 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.