Health & Fitness

14 And Counting: Measles Outbreak, Response Growing In Ocean Co.

So far, 12,400 doses of measles vaccine have been administered since the outbreak began Oct. 24, officials said.

With the number of confirmed cases of measles in Ocean County now at 14 and at least 13 more under investigation, Ocean County officials are expanding their efforts to try to curb the outbreak before it becomes an epidemic.

With the announcement that the Toms River office of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission was closed Friday after an unknown number of people were exposed to someone with the highly contagious virus, county health officials said anyone susceptible to it needs to be on full alert. (READ MORE: Are You At Risk In Ocean County Measles Outbreak?)

"The present measles outbreak is a true public health crisis which warrants the full attention of not only the Ocean County Health Department, but also all medical providers in the outbreak area," said Daniel Regenye, Ocean County public health coordinator.

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Since the first case was reported on Oct. 24, the health department has assisted in delivering 12,400 doses of measles vaccine to community providers to immunize thousands of those at risk.

The department also has "initiated or responded to" hundreds of telephone calls and emails as it has investigated the potential sources of exposure and numerous people who may have been exposed. The measles virus lingers in the air for up to two hours after the person with measles has left a room or building, officials have said.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The number of cases "would be much higher were it not for the immunity provided by those who have received the MMR vaccine" in response to the outbreak, Regenye said, an effort that has included work of seven of its public health clinical nurses, four health educators and others in the department.

"A number" of isolation and quarantine orders have been issued as well, he said.

In Lakewood, a number of private schools have refused to allow unvaccinated children to attend classes until they either receive a vaccination for measles or outbreak ends, in part a response to teachers saying they would not return to school otherwise. The Lakewood Scoop reported that one school barred 60 students from attending until they were vaccinated.

Health officials say 21 days must pass after the last confirmed case of measles before the outbreak is declared over. As of Friday, that date was approximately Nov. 30, but that date may change as more cases are confirmed. Regenye said the county will update its information daily until the outbreak ends.

Approximately 90 percent of susceptible people will get measles if exposed to someone with the disease. Those who have been vaccinated or who have been sickened with measles already are believed to not be susceptible. According to the Centers for Disease Control, two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93 percent effective.

Here is the current list of sites and dates, as of Monday morning, where people were exposed to measles:

  • CHEMED Health Center, 1771 Madison Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701
    • October 30 between 9:20 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
    • October 31 between 8:45 a.m. and 1 p.m.
    • November 1 from 10:15 p.m. to close
  • 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.
  • 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 28 – November 1 between 9 a.m. to 2 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 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.

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Note: This article has been updated to reflect the number of potential cases under investigation announced Monday by the Ocean County Health Department

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