[ad_1]
LAKEWOOD, NJ – Two more measles cases have been confirmed in Ocean County, and the state 's Department of Health now qualifies it as an outbreak.
Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Commissioner of the Department of Health, said the two new cases were people who had developed symptoms after being exposed to a man exposed to measles during international travel.
The two new cases could have exposed other people to the 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.
"The Ministry of Health considers that there is a measles epidemic in the community," the statement said.
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 one or the other of the two new cases could develop symptoms as late as Nov. 20, the health department said.
Is considered exposed and at risk anyone who was at any of the following locations on the specified dates who has not been vaccinated or who has not had measles:
- Schul Satmar, 405 Forest Avenue, Lakewood; Oct. 13th-Oct. from 1 pm to 4 pm every day
- Eat a Pita, 116 Clifton Ave, Lakewood; October 15 between 7 pm and 10 am
- CHEMED Health Center, 1771 Madison Ave, Lakewood; 17 October between 15h and 18h and 18 October between 10h45 and 13h30
- 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
Measles is a highly contagious disease and the state health department is working with the Ocean County Department of Health to identify and warn people who may have been exposed during the period when they were infectious. .
The department urges residents to remain alert to measles symptoms, including skin rash, high fever, coughing, runny nose, and red and 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.
Measles is easily transmitted 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.
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.
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.
Click here to get patch e-mail notifications on this article or other local press articles or to receive last minute alerts on Patch sent directly to your phone with our app. Download here. Do you have any advice? Email [email protected]
Follow us on Facebook. Click here to like our page.
Image via Shutterstock
Receive the Lakewood newsletter
[ad_2]
Source link
