Measles and mumps spread. Here is how much you should be worried.

Just beyond New Jersey's borders, viral epidemics continue to affect cities and communities, sickening dozens and dozens of people in neighboring states.

There are no military helicopters overflown by soldiers in biological protective gear. But just north of our country, a community in Rockland County, New York, is experiencing the worst measles outbreak a state has seen in decades.

In New Jersey, the measles outbreak is continuing, with seven cases in the counties of the ocean and two in Monmouth counties. Cases had already been reported in the counties of Bergen and Essex.

According to 6abc.com, an outbreak of mumps rages in the southwestern Temple University in Philadelphia, near 134 people.

So how should we be concerned? Is there a chance that any of these outbreaks will spread further into New Jersey?

"I think one or the other risk of spreading," said in a text message Dr. David Cennimo, an infectious disease specialist at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

He noted that the outbreak at Temple is "probably spreading through closer contact" within the community, while the measles outbreak has been associated with under-vaccinated populations . But both certainly have the potential to worsen, he said.

There is no reason to get upset, say the experts. Although measles and mumps are two highly contagious viruses, you will probably be doing very well even if you have been vaccinated, even if you have traveled to these areas or if you intend to do so.

The measles outbreak in Rockland has mainly affected ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, where vaccination rates tend to be lower and anti-vaccination sentiments quite common. In Rockland, the situation has worsened so much that county officials have recently declared the state of emergency, banning unvaccinated children and teenagers from traveling to public places.

A similar situation is observed in Lakewood, in Ocean County, which recently declared its second measles outbreak in the last five months.

Although the epidemic at Temple University has continued to intensify, it differs from the measles epidemics we observe. The amazing problem at Temple is that a vast majority of students have already been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

Although the MMR vaccine is quite effective against measles, it may decrease over time, for mumps, according to experts.

Regarding mumps, "the vaccine has no 100% effectiveness," said Dr. Glenn Fennelly, chair of the Pediatric Council of Rutgers New Jersey School of Medicine, NJ Advance Media last month. .

This is why disease control and prevention centers have recommended a third dose of MMR in the event of an outbreak.

Fennelly noted that unless you live in an area with an outbreak, a third dose is probably useless.

Spencer Kent can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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