Source: NJ Dept. of Health
The New Jersey Department of Health is warning residents about a confirmed case of measles—a highly contagious disease— who could have possibly exposed others to the infection while in Ocean County between October 13 and October 21, 2018. Testing at CDC has confirmed the infection. The individual developed symptoms after international travel to Israel, where there has been an increase in measles cases.
Anyone who visited the following locations in Lakewood NJ may have been exposed to measles:
– Schul Satmar, 405 Forest Avenue
October 13 – 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
– Eat a Pita, 116 Clifton Avenue
October 15 between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
– CHEMED Health Center, 1771 Madison Avenue
October 17 between 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
October 18 between 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The Department recommends that anyone who visited the location listed above during the specified date/time should contact a health provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness.
If you have been exposed, you are at risk if you have not been vaccinated or have not had measles. Individuals potentially exposed, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as November 11.
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.
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.
The Department is working in collaboration with the Ocean County Health Department to identify additional exposures that could have occurred.