The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Thursday that a person with measles from another state traveled to New Hampshire while contagious. Health officials said the person was exposed to an international traveler who also had the disease. That person could have spread measles to people who are not immune, meaning they have not been previously infected or have not been fully vaccinated. People with weakened immune systems and infants who have not yet received the measles vaccine are also at risk. >> More details: DHHS information on the 2024 measles outbreak Earlier Thursday, health officials released a timeline and list of locations in New Hampshire where the infected person has traveled. Later Thursday night, health officials released this revised schedule:July 6 from 1 to 5 p.m.: Texas Roadhouse on Loudon Road in ConcordJuly 7 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Baked and Brewed Café on Suncook Valley Road in AltonJuly 7 from 3 to 6 p.m.: The Common Man on Daniel Webster Highway in MerrimackHealth officials are asking anyone who is unprotected or unsure if they are and who also visited one of these locations during these specific times and dates to contact the Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496.>> Download the free WMUR app for updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Thursday that a person with measles from another state traveled to New Hampshire while contagious.
Health officials said the person was exposed to an international traveler who also had the illness.
This person may have passed measles on to people who are not immune, meaning they have never been infected or have not been fully vaccinated. People with weakened immune systems and infants who have not yet received the measles vaccine are also at risk.
>> More details: DHHS Information on the 2024 Measles Outbreak
Earlier Thursday, health officials released a timeline and list of locations in New Hampshire where the infected person had been. Later Thursday evening, health officials released this revised timeline:
- July 6 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Texas Roadhouse on Loudon Road in Concord
- July 7 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Baked and Brewed Café on Suncook Valley Road in Alton
- July 7 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: The Common Man on Daniel Webster Highway in Merrimack
Health officials are asking anyone who is unprotected or unsure if they are protected and who also visited any of these locations during these specific times and dates to contact the Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates wherever you are: Apple | Google Play <
Health officials said the new infection is the fifth linked to a multistate measles outbreak.
Symptoms of measles can range from a high fever to a cough, runny nose or watery eyes for several days before a rash appears.
Doctors say vaccination is the best protection against measles.
“Given the vaccination rates in the community, I would take this as a warning that we are likely to see something like this again, and we want to make sure that we protect as many people as possible, and that is particularly true in children,” said Dr. Michael Calderwood of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is highly contagious. If just one person gets sick, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. People can even get infected by being in a room where someone with measles has been.
Dr. Benjamin Chan, a New Hampshire epidemiologist, said measles can remain contagious in the air for up to two hours after a person leaves a space.
“The period during which a person with measles can spread it to others begins four days before the rash appears and lasts until four days after it appears,” Chan said.
Both doctors said it’s possible more cases will be identified, but Chan said New Hampshire’s immunity level is generally high.
Through contact tracing, public advisories and encouraging vaccination, they are working to stop the spread of measles.
“We don’t expect this to turn into a large community outbreak,” Chan said.
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