A person who had been exposed to measles visited several restaurants earlier this month, including the Texas Roadhouse in Concord, and health officials are warning people who may have come in contract with them to be careful.

“Anyone who is not protected or unsure of their protection against measles and visited the (restaurants) during the specified dates and times should contact (Department of Public Health Services) at 603-271-4496 as soon as possible and monitor for symptoms,” the agency said in a release.

The state health alert comes because an out-of-state resident was exposed to an international traveler who had measles and was identified in late June. That person could pass measles to people who are not protected, either because they’re not vaccinated, have a weak immune system, or are infants who have not yet received the measles vaccine.

On Saturday, July 6, that out-of-state person visited the Concord Texas Roadhouse on Loudon Road between 1 and 5 p.m. On Sunday, July 7, they visited Baked and Brewed Cafe in Alton some time between noon to 2 p.m. and the Merrimack Common Man  between 1 and 5 p.m.

Measles is one of the most contagious respiratory diseases. Before 1963, when a vaccine became widely available, 400 to 500 people died annually from measles in the U.S. and 4,000 suffered encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. Measles was officially eradicated from the U.S. in 2000 but a few cases occur each year, usually due to an infected person arriving from overseas.

Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes several days before developing a body rash. Anyone who is not yet vaccinated is encouraged to talk with their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated.

For information about this measles outbreak  can contact DPHS at 603-27 1-4496.