Measles Outbreak In New Jersey: Potential Exposure In 3 Counties

Health officials are keeping an eye on three counties as the measles outbreak in New Jersey continues to raise concern.

Bergen County officials are monitoring a measles outbreak in nearby Rockland County where a state of emergency was declared.

Anyone who is not vaccinated and younger than 18 is barred from public places in Rockland County until the emergency expires in 29 days, or until they receive the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Read more: Bergen Officials Monitoring Measles Outbreak In Rockland County

A New Jersey resident also was infected with measles and visited two locations in Hillsdale, the New Jersey State Department of Health warned. Read more: Measles Case Reported In Bergen County: State

Also, a numer of people in Ocean County have been confirmed to have the measles in the latest outbreak of the virus, according to the state Department of Health. Read more: 11 Measles Cases In 2019 Ocean County Outbreak, State Says

The current outbreak began earlier in March, with the state announcing a laboratory-confirmed case on March 6. It was labeled an outbreak on March 15.

Health officials are also warning about potential measles exposure in Monmouth County related to the Ocean County outbreak.

An Ocean County infant visited the Emergency Department at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch and potentially exposed individuals on March 13 from 7:30 to 10:15 p.m., according to a DOH release.

Monmouth Medical Center is in the process of contacting those individuals who were potentially exposed. The department is working with local health officials to identify and notify people who might have been exposed during the time the individuals were infectious, according to the release.

The department recommends that anyone who visited the Monmouth County location during the specified dates/times should contact a health provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness, according to the release.

If you have been exposed in Monmouth County, you are at risk if you have not been vaccinated or have not had measles. Individuals potentially exposed on these dates, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as April 3.

Anyone who suspects an exposure is urged to call a health care provider before going to a medical office or emergency department. Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection, according to the release.

Measles symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. It can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, or 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, according to the release.

People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.

Anyone who has not been vaccinated or has not had measles is at risk if they are exposed. "Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97 percent effective in preventing measles,” said Christina Tan, state epidemiologist.

“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,” Tan added.

Before international travel:

• Infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine. Infants who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should get two more doses (one dose at 12 through 15 months of age and another dose separated by at least 28 days).
• Children 1 year and older should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.
• Teenagers and adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.