More than 80 Ocean County residents were exposed to the measles at a private event in New York as the number of cases continues to widen, New Jersey health officials said.
Most of those exposed live in Lakewood, according to Dawn Thomas, a spokeswoman for the state health department.
The Ocean County health department didn’t mention where or when the event took place, but said Friday 86 people might have been infected. There were already 18 confirmed and six suspected cases of measles in Ocean County. People who might have been exposed to the highly contagious diseases are being contacted by health officials.
The first case in Lakewood involved a person who had traveled to Israel and was exposed to the virus. It was reported to the Ocean County Health Department Oct. 26.
The virus then began to spread through Lakewood. In November, three members of a family in Passaic County became infected with measles. The state Department of Health has been updating lists of places visited by infected people and urged people to get vaccinations. Thousands of people in Ocean County sought vaccinations as the virus began to spread.
People can become ill from measles from 5 to 21 days after being exposed to the virus. Measles symptoms vary, but can include high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and a rash.
If contracted, the virus can result in ear infections, pneumonia, swelling of the brain, miscarriage in pregnant women, and even death, particularly for children, according to health officials.
If you received the two recommended doses of the measles vaccine as a child, you are considered protected for life and do not need a booster, according to the CDC.
NJ Advance Media staff writer Amanda Hoover contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.