An ongoing measles outbreak in Ocean County, New Jersey has already affected 15 people so far. Residents are advised to remain vigilant for any symptoms of the highly contagious disease.

Measles Outbreak In New Jersey

The State of New Jersey Department of Health announced this week that the measles outbreak in Ocean County has already affected 15 individuals. Authorities are also concerned over a specific measles case associated with the Ocean County outbreak wherein a Passaic County resident may have exposed other people in Passaic County between Nov. 17 and Nov. 18.

Specifically, anyone who may have visited the Passaic Chill Youth Drop In Center on Nov. 17 between 8:30 in the evening and midnight, Junior’s Kosher Deli on Nov. 18 between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Rite Aid on Nov. 18 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. may have been exposed to measles.

Those who were exposed may develop such symptoms until Dec. 9.

Public Health

As such, the Department urges anyone who may have visited those places at those specific times to contact their health care provider, especially those who are not vaccinated as well as those who have not had measles before. Furthermore, residents of Passaic County are also advised to remain vigilant for possible measles symptoms such as rashes, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.

“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,” said Dr. Christina Tan, the state epidemiologist.

Measles Infection

Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the throat and nose mucus of an infected individual. It can be passed to other people through coughing and sneezing, and other people may be infected by breathing in the infected air, or by touching an infected surface and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.