A resident in Hudson County has been diagnosed with measles, leading to potential exposure for individuals who visited various public locations, including a hospital, a coffee shop, and a mall. The state Health Department issued a warning on Tuesday, urging those who were present at specific times to monitor for symptoms that could manifest as late as August 2.
Health officials have identified several locations where individuals may have been exposed to the measles virus. If you visited any of the following places during the specified dates and times, it is essential to be vigilant for symptoms:
Emergency Department at University Hospital in Newark on July 4, between 5:30 - 10:15 p.m. Pediatric Emergency Department at Hackensack University Medical Center on July 4 - 5, between 11:15 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. Pediatric Emergency Department at Hackensack University Medical Center on July 8-9, between 12:45 - 7:15 a.m. Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center on July 8-9, between 5:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Roast’d Coffee at 10 River Dr. S. in Jersey City on July 6, between 4 - 7 p.m. Newport Mall in Jersey City on July 6, between 6 - 9 p.m. Al-Basha at 1076 Main St. in Paterson on July 6, between 8 - 11 p.m. Elite Pediatrics at 1 Broadway, Suite 303 in Paterson on July 7, between 10 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. CVS at 220 Schuyler Ave. in Kearny on July 7, between 12:30 - 3 p.m.Individuals who have not received the measles vaccination or have never had measles are particularly at risk. Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination to prevent the spread of this highly contagious virus. Notably, the current case in Hudson County is unrelated to a recent measles case reported in Ocean County.
As of now, New Jersey has reported a total of five measles cases in 2025, with three cases connected to a household outbreak in February. It's important to note that New Jersey is not currently experiencing an outbreak as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which requires three or more related cases.
The symptoms of measles can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a distinctive red rash that typically begins at the hairline. According to the CDC, the rash usually appears three to five days after the initial symptoms. It’s crucial to understand that individuals can spread measles to others from four days before the rash appears to four days after.
If you believe you may have been exposed to measles, it's essential to contact your local health department or a healthcare provider before visiting any medical facility. This precaution helps prevent further spread of the virus.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health, approximately 97% of the measles cases reported in the United States in 2025 involve individuals who were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. In total, there have been 1,288 confirmed measles cases reported across 39 states, marking the highest annual tally in 33 years.
As a community, staying informed and vigilant is critical in preventing the spread of measles and protecting public health. For more local news and updates, consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.
