Patrons who visited a Livingston, N.J. restaurant Sunday may have been exposed to measles and should contact their health care provider immediately, according to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.
Two women visiting from France attended a party at the Eppes Essen restaurant on East Mont Pleasant Avenue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, said DHSS. They began showing symptoms of the measles virus three days later, and sought medical treatment at Saint Clare's Hospital in Denville on April 12 and 13.
The two, who were not vaccinated against measles, had been exposed to the viral illness before arriving in New Jersey on April 7, said DHSS.
State officials ares urging people who were at the restaurant in that time period to contact their health care provider immediately, and to make the arrangements before walking into a hospital or doctor's office so that other patients are not put at risk.
People exposed at the restaurant could develop symptoms as early as April 15 or as late as May 1, according to DHSS. Symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.
Measles could cause serious medical complications, like pneumonia and encephalitis, in 20 percent of patients, especially children under five and adults older than 20. In pregnant women, measles can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or a low-birth weight baby.
The disease is easily spread through the air when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes, according to health officials. People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.
