LAKEWOOD – Another case of measles has been confirmed in Ocean County, the first since the previous outbreak was declared over by officials back in January.
The New Jersey Department of Health warns residents that this new case of measles in an Ocean County resident might have exposed others to the disease between Feb. 26 and 27. Health officials are investigating whether it is connected to the previous measles outbreak in Ocean County or other areas.
If you visited the following areas, you may have been exposed:
- • Congregation Sons of Israel Park Avenue, 401 Park Ave, Lakewood, NJ on February 26, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
- • Kol Shimshon, 323 Squankum Rd, Lakewood, NJ on February 27, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
State and county health officials are working to identify and notify anyone who might have been exposed to the infectious disease during this time frame. Should more cases or exposures be identified, officials will provide an update.
The Department recommends that anyone who visited these locations during the specified date/time should contact a health provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the measles. You could be at risk if you have not been vaccinated or have not had measles. Individuals potentially exposed, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as March 25.
If you suspect you have been exposed, call your health care provider before showing up, to avoid the risk of exposing others.
Symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. It can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Measles infection in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or a low-birth-weight baby.
The illness can be spread through the air through coughs or sneezes and can be spread through contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.
“Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97 percent effective in preventing measles,” said Dr. Christina Tan, state epidemiologist. “We urge everyone to check to make sure they and their family members are up-to-date on measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, it protects others around you who are too young to get the vaccine or can’t receive it for medical reasons. If you’re planning an international trip, the World Health Organization recommends that adults or adolescents unsure of their immune status get a dose of measles vaccine before traveling.”
For more information, contact your health care provider or visit the New Jersey Department of Health website at state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/measles.shtml.
