Health officials in New York and New Jersey reported separate measles cases Friday.
On Long Island, an infant who recently arrived from overseas was taken to the Good Samaritan Emergency Room in West Islip on Jan. 19, and testing has since confirmed the child has the highly contagious measles. The baby was then seen at HRHCare Martin Luther King Jr. Family Health Center on Wyandanch Wednesday.
Anyone not vaccinated or immune to measles who was at Good Samaritan Hospital ER between 5:57 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 19, or at HRHCare Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center between 9:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. on Jan. 25 may be exposed to measles.
Exposed people should contact the health center at 516-214-8020 immediately. Preventive measures could be effective if vaccine is administered within 72 hours of exposure (by Jan. 28) or if immune globulin is administered within six days of exposure (by Jan. 31).
In New Jersey, a Hudson County man acquired measles while traveling abroad and may have exposed it to non-vaccinated people in public areas in Jersey City between Jan. 16 and Jan. 24, officials said.
The New Jersey DOH recommends that anyone who visited the locations below during the dates and times listed contact a health provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risks of developing the illness.
Locations of potential exposure include:
- Christ Hospital, 176 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306:
- January 20-January 21, between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.
- January 22, between 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
- PATH Stations: Journal Square and Newport AND
PATH Train: Journal Square – 33rd St Line- January 17, between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
- January 17, between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
- Newport Tower, 525 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310
- January 17, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- January 18, between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
- Newport Mall, 30 Mall Dr W, Jersey City, NJ 07310
- January 17, between 12 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- 145 Harborside, Plaza 2, Jersey City, NJ 07331
- January 19, between 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- LabCorp, 600 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, 07306
- January 19, between 12:00 p.m.- 2:45 p.m.
- 600 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, 07306
- January 19, between 12:00 p.m.- 2:45 p.m.
- Duane Reade (Journal Square), 1 Path Plaza, Jersey City, NJ 07306
- January 19, between 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Square 1 (Restaurant), 283 St Pauls Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
- January 21, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The airborne illness can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and swelling of the brain in 20 percent of patients.
Health officials say children younger than 5 years old and adults older than 20 are especially at risk. Pregnant women who contract the virus can suffer a miscarriage.
Anyone who hasn't been vaccinated or hasn't had measles is at risk if exposed to the virus, officials said.
For more information on what to do if you've been exposed to measles, take a look at this PDF or visit the state's website to learn more about the illness.
