Camden County Health officials suspect a South Jersey man has contracted measles and is warning people in the area to watch for symptoms of the highly contagious disease.
The unidentified man, whose symptoms seem to be those of measles, was exposed to the disease by an infected woman who recently traveled to the U.S. from Italy, Camden County health officer Bob Smith said Thursday.
The man visited the following seven stores and restaurant in Collingswood, Cherry Hill, Magnolia, and Lawnside between April 21 and 24. Officials want anyone who visited those places to be aware and contact their doctors immediately if symptoms arise:
- April 21: 6:30-9:30 p.m.: The Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Ave., Collingswood
- April 22: 8 a.m.-noon: Home Depot, 2160 Route 70, Cherry Hill
- April 23: 6-9 p.m.: Kohl’s, 2133 Route 38, Cherry Hill
- April 24: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Magnolia Nursery, 405 S. White Horse Pike, Magnolia
- April 24: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Toys R Us, 500 Route 38, Cherry Hill
- April 24: 11 a.m.-4p.m.: Walmart, 500 Route 38, Cherry Hill
- April 24: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Home Depot, 2160 Route 70, Cherry Hill
- April 24: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Lowe’s, 122 W. Oak Ave., Lawnside
Measles is extremely contagious and has no cure. While most people recover easily, it can lead to bronchitis, encephalitis, ear infections, pneumonia, or brain swelling.
Symptoms include bloodshot eyes, cough, fever, light sensitivity, muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, tiny white spots inside the mouth and a rash that shows up three to five days after the first signs of being sick.
The vaccine for measles is 99 percent effective, but those who are not up to date on this vaccine are highly susceptible, officials say.
The businesses where the infected man shopped were making sure all their employees were safe.
"We got the call and it was a mad scramble to get everyone’s inoculation papers together, my mother had mine," said Pop Shop owner Stink Fisher.
There is currently a measles outbreak in Europe, officials say.
For anyone with questions Camden County encourages them to call their toll-free measles hotline at 800.999.9045.
