First Measles Case in Ohio

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Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has confirmed the state’s first measles case of 2019. The unvaccinated young adult from Stark County recently traveled to a state with confirmed measles cases. ODH is currently not disclosing additional information about the infected individual.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A small number of cases are capable of quickly producing epidemics. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and rash. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their doctor immediately.

Butler County and city public health officials recommend unvaccinated individuals 1 year and older receive a measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them.

Butler County public health officials agree that, "the best way to protect yourself and your family against measles and other vaccine preventable diseases is to get vaccinated." Children should receive their first dose of measles vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age; another dose at 4 6 years of age. Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine is generally first given at 12 months of age in the United States, but is sometimes recommended for children as young as 6 months of age who are traveling outside the United States or could be infected in an outbreak.

If you are uncertain about your vaccination status or are unvaccinated for measles, or think you may be experiencing symptoms of measles, call your health care provider or local health department. For questions or concerns contact your local Public Health agency;

• City of Middletown residents call 513-425-1818;
• City of Hamilton residents call 513-785-7080;
• Butler County residents call 513-887-7080. To schedule a vaccination appointment for you and or family contact the Butler County General Health District's clinic at 513-887-5253.

More information on measles is available from the Butler County General Health District at health.bcohio.us and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov; recommended immunization schedules can be found at cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/; Video and audio on the importance of vaccinations and FAQs are available from the Ohio Department of Health at odh.ohio.gov/.

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