OCEAN COUNTY – A fourth case of measles has been confirmed in an Ocean County adult.
Others may have been exposed to measles between March 9-14 in two locations:
• Bais Medrash Tiferes Pinchos, East 5th and Negba streets in Lakewood, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Newark Liberty International Airport, Terminal B, March 14 from 9 p.m. to March 15 12:30 a.m.
The New Jersey Department of Health and Ocean County Health Department are working to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed.
Anyone who did visit those locations should immediately contact their health provider to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing measles. Anyone who has not been vaccinated or has never had measles is at risk if exposed.
Symptoms may develop as late as April 7.
Measles symptoms 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. Measles is easily spread through 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.
“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,” Dr. Christina Tan, state epidemiologist said.
