Health officials in New Jersey are reporting a confirmed case of measles in Ocean County. The Department of Health is warning residents who could have possibly exposed others to the infection between February 26 and February 27, 2019 at the following locations:

  • Congregation Sons of Israel- Park Avenue, 401 Park Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701
    • February 26, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
  • Kol Shimshon, 323 Squankum Rd, Lakewood, NJ 08701
    • February 27, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
This was a patient who presented with Koplik’s spots on palate due to pre-eruptive measles on day 3 of the illness./CDC
This was a patient who presented with Koplik’s spots on palate due to pre-eruptive measles on day 3 of the illness./CDC

The Department and local health officials are investigating any connection to the previous outbreak in Ocean County or current outbreaks in other states.

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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 March 25.

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 Dr. 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,” Dr. 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.

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