Dear Residents,
As you may know, measles (also called rubeola) is a very contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. Ninety percent of people with close contact with an infected person will get measles if they are not vaccinated. Before the measles vaccine became available, measles was a common childhood disease.
On February 14, 2025, NJDOH reported one laboratory-confirmed case of measles in a Bergen County resident who traveled out of the country. As of February 14, 2025, no additional confirmed measles cases have been identified.
When an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes, the virus is released into the air and enters another person’s body through their nose, mouth, or throat. People can also become sick if they come in contact with an infected person’s mucus or saliva (spit). The measles virus can live on infected surfaces and in the air for up to two hours.
Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and rash (usually appears 3-5 days after symptoms begin).
Anyone who suspects exposure to measles is urged to CALL a healthcare provider BEFORE going to a medical office or emergency department. A person infected with measles can spread the disease before showing symptoms; therefore, special arrangements need to be made when you visit your doctor or emergency department to help protect others from getting sick.
You can get more information on measles from:
- Your health care provider
- nj.gov/health/NJ Department of Health
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/measles/index.html
