Infant May Have Exposed Others In Wayne, Paterson Hospitals To Measles

Now DOH and local officials are urging anyone who may have been exposed to the unvaccinated 7-month-old to call a health care provider.

“Anyone who suspects an exposure is urged to call a health care provider before going to a medical office or emergency department,” a DOH press release stated. “Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.”

According to DOH, while infectious, the infant may have exposed others to the highly contagious disease between Jan. 17th and 23rd, and those who were exposed could develop symptoms as late as Feb. 15.

The infant visited the Emergency Department at St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital in Wayne on Jan. 21 from 6:53 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Pediatric Emergency Department at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson on Jan. 23 from 6:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., a DOH press release states.

Measles symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, and it could cause serious complications like pneumonia and swelling of the brain.

St. Joseph's Healthcare System is in the process of contacting individuals who were potentially exposed. As of Tuesday, no associated cases had been identified.

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