State issues measles alert for SJ sites

TRENTON – A woman with measles may have exposed others to the infection at sites in Burlington and Camden counties, state health officials warned Friday.

The risk of exposure occurred from June 12 to 17 at healthcare facilities and a fitness center in Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Evesham and Camden, according to the state Department of Health.

Anyone who visited those locations during specified times “should contact a health provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness," the agency advised.

The sites included: Virtua Marlton Hospital on Brick Road in Evesham, on June 17 between 8:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; and Virtua Express Urgent Care, Suite 108, on Young Avenue in Moorestown, on June 16 between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

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Also: Cooper Family Medicine Clinic at the Kroc Center on Harrison Avenue in Camden, between 2:45 and 6:30 p.m. on June 14.

The department cited four days of concern at LifeTime Mount Laurel, a fitness center at Church and Fellowship roads.

The potential exposure period at the Mount Laurel building began at 6 a.m. each day and continued until 9:30 p.m. on June 12; until 4 p.m. on June 13; until 4:30 p.m. on June 14; and 9 a.m. on June 15.

It said people may be at risk if they have not been vaccinated or have not had measles.

“Measles is easily spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes,” the statement noted. “People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.

It said some “potentially exposed individuals, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as July 11.”

Measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes and a rash that usually appears between three and five days after symptoms begin. 

The illness can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, and can lead to a miscarriage or other serious issues for a pregnant woman, the department warned.

It said people who develop symptoms should “call a healthcare provider before going to a medical office or emergency department.”

The local measles case involves someone who developed symptoms after international travel, the state agency said.

The department said it's working with local health officials "to identify and notify people who might have been exposed."

It said Virtua also is contacting people who were potentially exposed at its facilities.

Jim Walsh: @jimwalsh_cp; 856-486-2646; jwalsh@gannettnj.com

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