A Massachusetts resident has been diagnosed with measles after traveling abroad, health officials said. It's the state's first measles case in four years.
It's the latest measles case confirmed in New England — health officials have been tracking a growing measles cluster in New Hampshire and Vermont, with three known cases as of July 9. People who've been in the Dartmouth College area were being urged to monitor for possible exposure, and on Thursday, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services shared three new local locations that someone from out of state visited when infectious.
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Massachusetts' new measles case is in an adult from Worcester County who recently traveled internationally — officials didn't say where, but noted that there are large outbreaks of measles in Europe and elsewhere, and that many of the recent U.S. cases are associated with travel.
All people who may have been exposed to the Massachusetts resident with measles have already been contacted, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
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"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased worldwide, including here in the United States and in neighboring states in New England," Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. "Cases of measles have been reported in 30 states since the beginning of last year, mostly in people and communities who are unvaccinated. Vaccination is the best way to protect against measles."
Measles is highly contagious and potentially serious. It's prevented by the safe, effective MMR vaccine schedule that's recommended for almost all people in the U.S., except those with severe allergies or several other conditions.
More measles news
As of Thursday, five people diagnosed with measles were linked to the cluster involving New Hampshire, state health officials said.
The informed the public that the anyone who visited the following locations may have been exposed to measles by the out-of-state resident, who had previously been exposed to an international traveler who flew back to their home country through Boston's Logan airport:
- July 6, 1:00-5:00pm: Texas Roadhouse, 317 Loudon Road, Concord
- July 7, 2:30-4:30pm: Baked and Brewed Café, 915 Suncook Valley Rd, Alton
- July 7, 3:00-6:00pm: Common Man, 314 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack
Health officials initially said the exposures occurred on July 5 and 6, but have since provided the updated timeline above.
Anyone who thinks they may have been in those locations at the specified times and either isn't vaccinated against measles or isn't sure about their level of protection was urged to call the state's Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496.
