Last Friday, we received laboratory confirmation that a pediatric patient who visited Cooper Pediatrics at Voorhees at 6400 Main Street on January 5, 2024, had measles. Patients, visitors, and team members who were at that location on that date between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. may have been exposed and have been contacted. Cooper is working with the New Jersey Department of Health and Camden County Health Department and following their measles protocols.
If you visited the Cooper Pediatrics at Voorhees during that day and time and have not been contacted, we ask that you contact Employee Health (856.342.2077) for further direction. Those individuals who have been vaccinated against measles or have previously been infected should have immunity from measles. If you have been exposed, you will be asked for evidence of vaccination or laboratory documentation of immunity due to previous infection. Those who do not have immunity may be asked to quarantine themselves.
Measles is primarily spread person to person through respiratory droplets and transmission can happen in closed areas for up to two hours after an infected person has been in that area. The measles virus is very contagious. Therefore, it is important to identify anyone who does not have immunity that may have been exposed. Individuals who are infected can develop symptoms five to 21 days after exposure.
Measles symptoms include:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes or pinkeye
- A rash that typically appears three to five days after symptoms begin. The rash usually begins as flat red spots that start on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
Any team member who has been exposed to measles and is experiencing any of these symptoms should contact their physician immediately to get tested, as well as contact Employee Health.
Team members who have not been vaccinated (or do not have proof of immunity) against measles should do so, as several cases of measles have been reported in our region. If you have any questions, please email Employee Health or call 856.342.2077.