Third measles case confirmed in Ocean County; possible exposure at Lakewood yeshiva BMG

A third case of measles has been reported in Ocean County and the patient could have exposed others to the infection, including at the country's largest yeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha, according to the state Department of Health.

Health officials have confirmed that an adult male in Ocean County contracted the contagious infection — the third confirmed case in the most recent measles outbreak. The patient could have spread the infection to others in Lakewood between March 9 and March 14, officials said.

The state Health Department is now calling the most recent string of cases the second measles outbreak in Ocean County in less than six months.

The state Department of Health warned that individuals who traveled to the following locations at the following times could have been exposed to measles:

• Congregation Bais Tefilla, 33 E. Eighth St., Lakewood, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on March 9 and from 7:30 to 11 a.m. March 10-11 and 13-14.

• Beth Medrash Govoha, Bais Yitzchok Hall, Lakewood, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 10-11 and from 12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 13.

• Beth Medrash Govoha, Yoshon Hall, Lakewood, from 4 to 9:30 p.m. March 10-11 and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 12.

• Beth Hamedrash Zichron Binyomin, 701 Princeton Ave., Lakewood, from 3 to 9:30 p.m. March 9, March 10-11 from 9:30 p.m. to midnight and March 13 at 10:45 p.m. to 1:15 a.m. on March 14.

• Lake Terrace Hall: 1690 Oak St., Lakewood, from 10 p.m. March 11 to 12:45 a.m. March 12.

• Kol Shimshon: 323 Squankum Road, Lakewood, 8 to 11 a.m. and 9 to 11:15 p.m. March 12.

The state Department of Health is working with the Ocean County Health Department to identify and alert those who may have been exposed, according to a statement from the agency.

Officials urged anyone who visited those locations at the time of exposure to immediately contact a health professional "to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness."

MEASLES:How to stay safe and what to do if exposed

"If you have been exposed, you are at risk if you have not been vaccinated or have not had measles," the statement read. "Anyone who suspects an exposure is urged to call a health care provider before going to a medical office or emergency department. Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection."

Health officials also are investigating whether this case is linked to a previous outbreak in Ocean County between October 2018 and January 2019 or other outbreaks around the country. The last outbreak in Ocean and Passaic counties, which sickened 33 people, was declared over Jan. 16 after officials said enough time had expired since the last exposure.

Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by a virus.Symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. At its worst, it can cause symptoms as severe as pneumonia and swelling of the brain, according to the department of health.

Measles is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People also can contract the infection if they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.

Learn more in the video at the top of this story.

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Andrew Goudsward: @AGoudsward; 732-897-4555; agoudsward@gannettnj.com

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