A New Hampshire resident has been confirmed to have measles, and it is linked to an international traveler who arrived in the state in June, health officials said. The Department of Health and Human Services said the resident who tested positive for measles had traveled to multiple locations. When the state is infectious, it exposes others to the virus. DHHS said the international traveler tested positive for measles after returning home from Hanover in late June. One confirmed case in Vermont is linked to the traveler, DHHS said. The New Hampshire resident was not vaccinated against measles, health officials said. Other unvaccinated people, people with weakened immune systems and young children who cannot be vaccinated, who came into contact with the resident could become infected, officials said. 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Peppermint Patty’s, 25 Road Around the Lake, Grantham July 1, 5:30-11:30 p.m.: Sierra Trading Post, 200 S Main Street, West Lebanon July 3, 9-11:30 a.m. : Dartmouth Co-op, 21 S Main Street, Hanover July 5, 9am-12:30pm: Dartmouth Co-op, 21 S Main Street, Hanover July 5, 11:45am-6pm: ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care Waiting Room, 410 Miracle Mile, Lebanon July 6, 8-10:30 am: ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care Waiting Room, 410 Miracle Mile, Lebanon July 6, 9:30 am-July 7, 1 am: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Urgent Care Unit, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon Those who have not been vaccinated, have not had measles before or are unsure of immunity are asked to call the Public Health Services Division as soon as possible at 603-271-4496. >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
A New Hampshire resident has been confirmed to have measles, and health officials said it was linked to an international traveler who arrived in 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 and may have exposed others to the virus.
DHHS said the international traveler tested positive for measles after returning home from Hanover in late June. One confirmed case in Vermont is linked to the traveler, DHHS said.
The New Hampshire resident was not vaccinated against measles, health officials said. Other unvaccinated people, people with weakened immune systems and young children who cannot be vaccinated, who came into contact with the resident, could be at risk of infection, officials said.
Officials released locations and times where residents may have been affected:
- July 1, 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Peppermint Patties, 25 Lake Circuit Road, Grantham
- July 1, 5:30-11:30 pm: Sierra Trading Post, 200 S Main Street, West Lebanon
- July 3, 9-11:30 a.m.: Dartmouth Cooperative, 21 S. Main Street, Hanover
- July 5, 9 am-12:30 pm: Dartmouth Co-op, 21 S Main Street, Hanover
- July 5, 11:45 am-6 pm: ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care Waiting Room, 410 Miracle Mile, Lebanon
- July 6, 8-10:30 am: ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care Waiting Room, 410 Miracle Mile, Lebanon
- July 6, 9:30 a.m.-July 7, 1 a.m.: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Emergency Department, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon
Those who are unvaccinated in those areas at that time, have never had measles or are unsure of their immunity are asked to call Public Health Services at 603-271-4496 as soon as possible.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
Depending on the date of potential exposure, people who are unprotected and susceptible to measles may benefit from preventive treatment, including vaccination or measles antibody injections, to reduce the risk of developing measles, officials said.
People who are severely immunocompromised may benefit from preventive antibody therapy, even if they have previously been vaccinated against measles, because the vaccine may not be effective for them. Officials said those individuals should contact their healthcare provider to see if treatment is recommended.
“Measles is a highly contagious but preventable disease,” said state epidemiologist Dr Benjamin Chan. “The two-dose measles vaccine provides lifelong protection for most people and is the best protection against complications of measles and infection. Anyone who has not been vaccinated is strongly encouraged to talk to their health care provider about completing the vaccination series.”
The last case of measles in New Hampshire was in 2019, health officials said.
Measles is spread from person to person through the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks. The virus remains airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. Measles can cause serious health problems, especially in children under 5 years of age.
Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. To prevent the possibility of spreading the virus, health officials say anyone who develops such symptoms should call their health care provider before going directly to a health facility.
