TOUGH NEWS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW. THANK YOU, KATHERINE. WE ALSO HAVE BREAKING HEALTH NEWS. NEWS NINE HAS LEARNED IN THE PAST HOUR THAT A CASE OF MEASLES HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IN THE UPPER VALLEY. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE UNVACCINATED PATIENT LIKELY GATHERED THE VIRUS FROM AN INTERNATIONAL TRAVELER WHO VISITED HANOVER LAST MONTH. ON YOUR SCREEN RIGHT NOW, YOU WILL SEE THE PLACES THE INFECTED PATIENT VISITED WHILE HE WAS CONTAGIAL. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THIS CASE COMES AFTER A CONFIRMED INFECTION IN VERMONT LINKED TO THE SAME INTERNATIONAL TRAVELER. DHHS WANTS EVERYONE WHO VISITED THESE LOCATIONS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE HEALTH PATHWAY.
Measles case linked to international traveler confirmed in New Hampshire resident
Health officials say other people may have been exposed at locations the residents visited.
Updated: 12:08 p.m. EDT July 9, 2024
A case of measles has been confirmed in a New Hampshire resident, and health officials said it is linked to an international traveler who visited the state in June. The Department of Health and Human Services said the resident who tested positive for measles traveled to multiple locations in the state while contagious, potentially exposing others to the virus. DHHS said the international traveler tested positive for measles after returning home from a visit to Hanover in late June. A confirmed case in Vermont has also been linked to the traveler, DHHS said. Health officials said the New Hampshire resident had not been vaccinated against measles. Officials said other unvaccinated people, people with weakened immune systems and infants too young to be vaccinated who came into contact with the resident could be at risk of infection. Officials have released the locations and times where the exposure to the resident may have occurred: July 1, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Peppermint Patty’s, 25 Road Round the Lake, Grantham July 1, 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.: Sierra Trading Post, 200 S Main Street, West Lebanon July 3, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Dartmouth Co-op, 21 S Main Street, Hanover July 5, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Dartmouth Co-op, 21 S Main Street, Hanover July 5, 11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.: ClearChoice® Urgent Care waiting room, 410 Miracle Mile, Lebanon July 6, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: ClearChoice® Urgent Care waiting room, 410 Miracle Mile, Lebanon 6 July, 9:30 a.m. – July 7, 1 a.m.: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Emergency Department, 1 Medical Center Drive, LebanonAnyone at these locations and times who is not vaccinated, has not had measles before, or is unsure of their immunity status has been asked to call the Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496 as soon as possible. >> Download the free WMUR app for updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
A case of measles has been confirmed in a New Hampshire resident, and health officials said it is linked to an international traveler who visited the state in June.
The Department of Health and Human Services said the resident who tested positive for measles visited multiple locations in the state while contagious, potentially exposing others to the virus.
DHHS said the international traveler tested positive for measles after returning from a visit to Hanover in late June. A confirmed case in Vermont has also been linked to the traveler, DHHS said.
Health officials said the New Hampshire resident had not been vaccinated against measles. Officials said other unvaccinated people, people with weakened immune systems and infants too young to be vaccinated who came into contact with the resident could be at risk of infection.
Authorities released the locations and times the resident’s exposure may have occurred:
- July 1, 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Peppermint Patty’s, 25 Road Round the Lake, Grantham
- July 1, 5:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.: Sierra Trading Post, 200 S Main Street, West Lebanon
- July 3, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Dartmouth Co-op, 21 S Main Street, Hanover
- July 5, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Dartmouth Co-op, 21 S Main Street, Hanover
- July 5, 11:45am-6pm: ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care Waiting Room, 410 Miracle Mile, Lebanon
- July 6, 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care Waiting Room, 410 Miracle Mile, Lebanon
- July 6, 9:30 a.m. – July 7, 1 p.m.: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Emergency Department, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon
Anyone at these locations and times who is not vaccinated, has never had measles before, or is unsure of their immunity status has been asked to call the Public Health Services Division at 603-271-4496 as soon as possible.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates wherever you are: Apple | Google Play <
Depending on the timing of potential exposure, people who are unprotected and susceptible to measles may benefit from preventive treatment, including vaccination or measles antibody injection, to reduce their risk of developing measles, officials said.
People who are severely immunocompromised, even if they have already been vaccinated against measles, may benefit from preventive antibody treatment, as vaccination may not be as effective for them. Authorities said these people should contact their doctor to see if treatment is recommended.
“Measles is a highly contagious but preventable disease,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist. “The two-dose measles vaccine provides lifelong protection for most people and is the best protection against measles and complications of infection. Anyone who has not been vaccinated is strongly encouraged to see their doctor to complete the vaccine series.”
Measles is spread from person to person through the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children under 5 years old.
Symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes several days before a rash appears. To avoid the possibility of spreading the virus, health officials said anyone experiencing such symptoms should call their doctor before going directly to a health care facility.