Cases of measles in NJ related to the patient who visited 3 health units

New Jersey Health officials confirmed two additional measles in the state this year related to a resident in Bergen County who has recently traveled internationally.

The initial case was reported on February 14 to an unvaccinated person.

The officials of the State Health Department warned that the person could have exposed others during a visit to the Emergency Section of the English Hospital in Bergen County, between 11:30 and 5:30, February 9.

Two additional cases have been identified, both involving people who had a close contact with the initial patient, the health officials said.

It is possible that the original patient has also spread the virus at Hackensack University Medical Center and an urgent care unit in Fort Lee, According to a report northjersey.com.

A press release from February 14 About the potential exposure to English did not reveal that the patient also visited the urgent care center and Hackensack Hospital.

Officials said that the two new cases were under quarantine, which significantly reduced the risk of additional transmission.

The two new cases also involved unvaccinated persons, state officials said.

The State Health Department works with local health agencies to follow any exposures and to announce people who could have been in contact with infected patients when they were contagious.

The department asks the residents to verify the vaccination records and to ensure that they are up to date, especially for the measles mump-driver vaccine, which provides protection against the extremely contagious virus.

Vaccination records can also be available through medical service providers, former schools, colleges, employers, military or obstetrician offices.

The New Jersey focus comes against the background of an increase in measles in the United States.

A child who has not been vaccinated died in a measles outbreak In the rural West Texas, state officials said on Wednesday, First death in the US From extremely contagious respiratory disease – but preventable – from 2015.

The school age child was hospitalized and died on Tuesday evening on the bottom of the outbreak, the largest in Texas almost 30 years. Ever since last month, a eruption of 124 cases has erupted in nine counties.

Federal Centers for disease control and prevention It updates its weekly measles outbreak statistics on Friday. On February 20, the CDC reported a total of 93 measles in Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island and Texas.

Measles is an extremely contagious virus This spreads through the air when a coughing or sneezing person. Symptoms usually occur at 7 to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, flowing nose, aqueous eyes and a characteristic red rash. Severe complications may include pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling) and, in rare cases, death.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

Anthony G. Attino can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow it on Twitter @Tonyattrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.