Measles is a very contagious viral infection of the respiratory system that spreads through contact with infected mucus and saliva. An infected person can release the infection into the air when they cough or sneeze. Measles is a leading cause of death in children.
Health officials in Ocean County confirmed an outbreak of measles in Lakewood, NJ after four cases were confirmed. The first case involved a person who had traveled to Israel and contracted the disease. This case was reported to the Ocean County Health Department Oct. 26. The three other cause were confirmed as well of exposure through traveling.
Measles is a very contagious viral infection of the respiratory system that spreads through contact with infected mucus and saliva. An infected person can release the infection into the air when they cough or sneeze and remains contagious for up to two hours after exposure to an ill person. Measles is a leading cause of death in children. Measles can take up to 21 days to appear.
CHEMED Health Center in Lakewood, NJ where the first case was diagnosed and they have set up an outdoor triage area to examine anyone exhibiting measles symptoms, which include fever, coughing, pink eye and a rash which typically starts on the face and neck and spreads elsewhere.
Do not simply show up at the hospital or doctor’s office if you believe you have been exposed because you could then expose others who may be at risk. Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.
The state of Health Department urges residents to remain vigilant for any symptoms of measles, including 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.
It is urged that everyone should check to make sure they and their family members are up-to-date on measles vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations. Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97 percent effective in preventing measles. Anyone unsure of their vaccination status should call their doctor as well. Blood tests can be used to test for immunity. 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. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die from it.
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