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Six cases of measles have now been confirmed in New Jersey and health officials want to know if people have been exposed while the epidemic continues to gain momentum.
Two new cases were announced this week and public health officials warned that people could have exposed other people to the infection during their stay in Ocean County between the 28th and the 30th. October and November 1st.
Even if you are vaccinated, you can still contract the disease, state officials said.
Anyone who has visited the following places may have been exposed to measles:
- Schul Satmar, 405 Forest Avenue, Lakewood: October 13th from 1pm. at 16; October 28 – November 1 between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm each day; October 28 – October 31 between 18:30 and 12:30; November 1st between 18:30 and 10 hours
- CHEMED Health Center, 1771 Madison Avenue, Lakewood: October 17, between 3 pm and 6 pm and October 18 between 10:45 am and 1:30 pm; October 30th between 9:20 am and 12:30 pm; November 1 from 10:15 pm close
- Office of Dr. Eli Eilenberg, 150 James Street, Lakewood: October 31 between 11:15 am and 2:45 pm
- Four Corners Bagel & Café, 150 James Street, Lakewood: October 31st between 12:30 pm and 3 pm
- Eat a Pita, 116 Clifton Ave, Lakewood; October 15 between 7 pm and 10 am
- NPGS, 231 Main St, Lakewood; October 25 between 9am and noon and October 29 between 2:15 pm. and 4:45 pm
- Pizza Plus, 241 4th St, Lakewood; October 28th between 12:30 and 15:30
Read more: IHO vaccination event in Lakewood
Last week, state officials confirmed two cases and on Friday morning, the Ocean County Health Department confirmed that another case had been diagnosed.
Last week's cases could have exposed other people to an infection between October 25 and 30, according to a statement from the health department. The first case of measles was reported on October 24, but this man had exposed others before the case was confirmed.
Daniel Regenye, public health coordinator for Ocean County's Department of Health, said officials urged those who might have been exposed to call health providers for advice.
Do not just show up in the hospital or doctor's office if you think you have been exposed to the risk of exposing others who may be at risk, he said. Special provisions can be made for assessment while protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infections.
Regenye said one of the pediatricians in her area had organized an outdoor clinic to minimize the risks because measles is extremely contagious.
"It spreads easily in the air and is very resistant," he said. The measles virus can remain active on the surfaces for two hours and if a contagious person is in a room, it can spread throughout the building, depending on the HVAC system, he said.
Measles can spread in the air when someone coughs or sneezes. People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.
Measles can take up to 21 days to appear; People exposed to the first man, if they are infected, could develop symptoms as late as November 11th. Anyone exposed to any of the new cases could develop symptoms as late as Nov. 22, the health department said.
Anyone who was at one of the following locations on the specified dates, who has not been vaccinated or who has not had measles, is considered at risk and exposed.
Regenye said county and state health departments were working with other members of the community to identify and warn people who might have been exposed during the period when these people were contagious .
The state health department urges residents to remain alert to the symptoms of measles, including rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red and watery eyes. It can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
"Two doses of measles vaccine are 97% effective in preventing measles," said Dr. Christina Tan, an epidemiologist.
Measles infection in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or a low birth weight baby.
What to do if you think you have been exposed:
- DO NOT go to the emergency room or your health care provider – CALL FIRST. Special provisions can be made for assessment while protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infections. Anyone who has not been vaccinated or who has not had measles is at risk if exposed.
- ENSURE that your immunizations and those of your family are up to date. Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing measles, said Dr. Epidemiologist Dr. Christina Tan.
"We invite everyone to check that both they and their family members know about measles / mumps / rubella (MMR) vaccine and all other age-appropriate vaccinations. It does not protect you, it also protects others around you who are too young to receive the vaccine or can not receive it for medical reasons, "Tan said.
Ocean County is not the only place facing a measles outbreak; Rockland County, New York has 46 confirmed measles cases and nine other suspects. County officials have opened free vaccination clinics and are starting to offer vaccines for babies as early as 6 months of age in order to quell the epidemic in this region.
The outbreak in Rockland County has also prompted health services to require unvaccinated or under-vaccinated schools in schools where the vaccination rate is below 70%, up to 21 days after the last confirmed case of measles in Rockland. (READ MORE: Measles outbreak: more cases, more clinics in Rockland)
If you are planning a trip abroad, the World Health Organization recommends that adults or adolescents who are unsure of their immune status be vaccinated against measles before traveling.
Before international trips:
- Infants aged 6 to 11 months should receive one dose of MMR vaccine. Infants who receive one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should receive two additional doses (one dose between 12 and 15 months and another dose spaced at least 28 days apart).
- Children 1 year of age and older should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, spaced at least 28 days apart.
- Adolescents and adults who do not show evidence of immunity to measles should receive two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.
Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. More serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis; up to one in 20 children with measles contract pneumonia, the leading cause of measles deaths in young children. One in 1000 children who get measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain) that can cause convulsions and leave the child deaf or mentally handicapped.
For 1,000 children with measles, one or two will die.
Image via Shutterstock
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