Ohio has several confirmed cases of measles in Southwest Ohio in January and February of 2024. Measles is an extremely contagious virus. 9 out of 10 unvaccinated children who are exposed to measles will become infected. According to Columbus Public Health, about 1 in 5 people in the US who get measles will be hospitalized. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and often a rash 3-5 days after cold symptoms start.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the number of measles — or rubella — diagnoses in the United States so far this year has nearly surpassed the case count for all of 2023.

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, and since then, most cases in the US have emerged in communities with low rates of vaccination against the virus.

Even if a disease is eliminated, outbreaks can still occur if an unvaccinated person travels to or from a country where the disease is still common, becomes infected and brings it back to the United States, introducing the virus into a community. That traveler can transmit measles to anyone who is unvaccinated.

Experts recommend that children receive the measles, mumps and rubella – known as the MMR – vaccine in two doses: the first between 12 months and 15 months of age and a second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is about 93% effective at preventing measles if a person comes into contact with the virus. Two doses are about 97% effective. In the United States, more than 90% of children have been vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella by age 2, according to the CDC.

Please do your part to stop the spread of this disease in our community. Learn more about the measles virus: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/