The Measles Outbreak is officially over today for New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Health said.
Between October 2018 and January 2019, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and local health officials worked together to investigate an outbreak of measles.
A total of 33 outbreak-associated cases were identified, including 30 confirmed cases in Ocean County residents and 3 cases in one Passaic County household that had a direct epidemiologic link to the outbreak community.
The majority of cases associated with this outbreak were not age-appropriately up-to-date with Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccines. Cases ranged in age from 6 months to 59 years and had rash onset dates that spanned from October 17 to November 30. These cases potentially exposed individuals in Ocean and Passaic counties.
As of January 16, two incubation periods (a total of 42 days) have passed from the last day the last known case was infectious. Because no new cases have been identified during this period, the New Jersey outbreak is being considered over. However, the Department urges providers to maintain vigilance for suspect cases of measles and have a high index of suspicion for measles in persons with a clinically compatible illness as there might be undiagnosed or unreported cases within the community.
In addition, measles outbreaks are still ongoing in some areas of New York, including the lower Hudson Valley, parts of New York City, and in other countries. NJDOH continues to recommend that providers ensure that patients are fully vaccinated according to the U.S. immunization schedule and consider administering MMR in certain circumstances as described in the Measles Outbreak Information for Clinicians.
The NJDOH continues to stress basic infection prevention activities such as covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, cleaning your hands, practicing healthy habits, and ensuring you’re up to date with vaccinations. Individuals should have increased awareness for signs and symptoms of measles. Individuals who are ill should not attend school or work to prevent the spread of disease to others.
Anyone who suspects being exposed to or having measles 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.
Baruch HaShem and Mazel Tov.
Now let’s see some ahavas Yisroel flowing through…. This saga cost too much sinas chinam, not because of the differences of opinion, but because of the constant mudslinging.
Let’s put this behind us and work on our achdus. We need to get out of galus already.
Well said!
Mazel tov!! Let’s celebrate!
There were a few unreported cases (by people who “don’t use doctors”, vhamvin yavin). And obviously these weren’t considered by the health dept for the current outbreak.
Someone I know was just exposed by a baby in her playgroup last week. This was in Brooklyn, but we aren’t so far from there so we need to be careful.
now lets keep up the pressure on the ant vexers so it doesn’t come back