OCEAN COUNTY – The number of confirmed cases of measles in the county continues to rise, according to Ocean County Health Department officials.
There are now 11 confirmed and seven suspected cases of the disease as of Tuesday.
The New Jersey Department of Health said Tuesday afternoon that anyone who visited the office of Dr. Eli Eilenberg, 150 James St. in Lakewood between noon and 4:30 p.m. Nov. 1 was exposed to measles.
The OCHD is encouraging vaccinations. Unvaccinated children who have been exposed to confirmed cases may be subject to exclusion from school.
“The Ocean County Health Department continues to support and highly encourage the exclusion of non-vaccinated children from schools, preschools and daycares in the outbreak area. These entities have the authority to make that decision when an outbreak has been declared by the New Jersey Department of Health,” OCHD spokesman Brian Rumpf said.
People should check their immunization records to make sure they are up to date on vaccinations. If they show signs of measles—fever, rash, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, pink eye—they should contact their healthcare provider before showing up to the office so arrangements for treatment without exposing others can be made.
People can become ill 5-21 days after exposure to measles. It can be spread through coughing and sneezing and live on surfaces and in the air up to two hours.
For more information, visit ochd.org or phu2.org.
