Take the initiative to protect yourself from the measles!  Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by exposure to the measles virus.  It rapidly spreads through the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes.  The initial symptom of the measles is a fever; infected individuals will then experience a cough, runny nose, and red eyes.  A tiny rash of red bumps will appear on the skin, first appearing on the head and working its way down the rest of the body.

Steps to Prevent Measles:

It is important for every child to receive two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination by age six.  The CDC considers you protected from measles if you have written documentation (records) showing at least one of the following:

• You received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, and you are a(n)—
  • school-aged child (grades K-12)
  • adult who will be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission, including students at post-high school education institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers.
• You received one dose of measles-containing vaccine, and you are a(n)—
  • preschool-aged child
  • adult who will not be in a high-risk setting for measles transmission.
• A laboratory confirmed that you had measles at some point in your life.
• A laboratory confirmed that you are immune to measles.
• You were born before 1957.

If you think you have the measles:

Follow these tips immediately at the first sign of symptoms

1. Avoid public places or close contact with others.
2. Contact your primary care physician immediately to inform them of your signs and symptoms.
3. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
4. Stay home for a minimum of four days after you develop a rash
5. Practice frequent hand washing.
6. Disinfect your surrounding area frequently.

MMR Vaccination:

Take the initiative to get vaccinated!  It is important for you to receive a MMR vaccination.  Children should get the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age.  The second dose should be administered at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination. If you do not have a vaccination record and are unsure of your vaccine history, consult with your primary physician.

Local Considerations:

33 cases of measles have been confirmed in Ocean County as of 12/21/2018.  The New Jersey Department of Health issued a press release warning residents about the additional confirmed cases that could have exposed others to the infection while in Ocean County between October 17, 2018 through November 30, 2018.  The last rash onset date is November 30, 2018 and 4 days of infection ended on December 4, 2018.

Anyone who visited the following locations may have been exposed to measles:

• CHEMED Health Center, 1771 Madison Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • October 17 between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
  • October 18 between 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
  • October 30 between 9:20 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
  • October 31 between 8:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
  • November 1 from 10:15 p.m. to close

• Eat a Pita, 116 Clifton Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • October 15 between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

• Four Corners Bagel & Café, 150 James St, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • October 31 between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

• NPGS, 231 Main St, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • October 25 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.
  • October 29 between 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

• Office of Dr. Eli Eilenberg, 150 James St, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • October 31 between 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.
  • November 1 between 12:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

• Pizza Plus, 241 4th St, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • October 28 between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

• Schul Satmar, 405 Forest Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • October 13- October 21 between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily
  • October 28- November 1 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily
  • October 28- October 31 between 6:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. (morning of Nov. 1)
  • November 1 between 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

• Office of Dr. Eli Eilenberg, 150 James St, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • November 1 between 12:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

• Fountain Ballroom, 725 Vassar Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • October 30-October 31 between 6:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.

• Mesivta of Eatontown, 1300 New Hampshire Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701 and 107 East Harvard St, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • November 6-November 9

• Bais Shalom AKA Alumni, 345 9th St, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • November 6 between 1:15 and 6:45 p.m.

• Motor Vehicle Commission, 1861 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753 (The Motor Vehicle Commission has chosen to close this location until Monday, Nov. 19. Other locations will be open for customers in the area).
  • November 7 between 2:30 and 5:15 p.m.

• Ateres Reva, 500 Summer Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • November 11 between 6:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. (morning of November 12)

• Lake Terrace, 1690 Oak St, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  • November 12 between 6:30 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. (morning of November 13)

• Passaic Chill Youth Drop In Center 217 Brook Ave, Passaic, NJ 07055
  • November 17 between 8:30 p.m. and midnight

• Junior’s Kosher Deli, 215 Main Ave, Passaic, NJ 07055
  • November 18 between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

• Rite Aid, 78 Main Ave, Passaic, NJ 07055
  • November 18 between 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

The Ocean County Health Department is working diligently to identify and notify people who might have been exposed during the time the individuals were infectious. In the event that additional exposure locations are identified, information will be updated on the New Jersey Department of Health’s measles page.

Additional Resources:

https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/measles.shtml

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/

https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/topics/measles/measles_exposure_guidance_public.pdf

https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/measles.shtml

Learn more on our Communicable Disease page.