The New Jersey Department of Health is warning residents of a highly suspect case of measles — a very contagious disease — in a Middlesex County resident who may have exposed individuals at a Marlboro, Monmouth County, restaurant on April 19.
The department and local health officials are investigating any connection to the current Ocean County measles outbreak or outbreaks in other states, according to a press release.
Anyone who visited Rosalita’s Roadside Cantina, 180 Route 9 North, Marlboro, on April 19 between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. may have been exposed to measles, according to the press release.
Some media reports in the past day have indicated the restaurant is in Englishtown, but that is a post office address for the business. Rosalita’s Roadside Cantina is in Marlboro.
The department is working with the Middlesex County Office of Health Services to identify additional exposures that could have occurred. This investigation is in progress, according to the press release.
The department recommends that anyone who visited Rosalita’s Roadside Cantina during the specified date and time should contact a health provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness.
If an individual has been exposed, he or she is at risk if they have not been vaccinated or have not had measles. Individuals potentially exposed on these dates, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as May 10, according to the press release.
Anyone who suspects an exposure is urged to call a health care provider before going to a medical office or emergency department. Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.
Measles symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. It can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
Measles infection in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or a low birth-weight baby. Measles is easily spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person, according to the press release.
For more information about measles, an individual should contact his or her health care provider or visit the New Jersey Department of Health website at http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/measles.shtml