Chillicothe, Ohio, Joins State in Facing Measles Outbreak Concerns
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Ross County and the city of Chillicothe are now grappling with growing concerns over measles as Ohio becomes part of a rising number of states hit by a recent outbreak of the highly contagious disease. Health officials in the region are urging residents to ensure their vaccinations are up to date as case numbers climb across the state and nation.
The United States, which declared measles eradicated in 2000, has seen nearly 500 reported cases across 19 states as of late Friday afternoon, surpassing the 277 cases reported in 31 states and Washington, D.C., throughout all of last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ohio is among five states currently experiencing an outbreak, defined as three or more cases, with a total of 11 confirmed cases statewide. Ten of those cases are linked to an outbreak in Ashtabula County, sparked by an unvaccinated individual who traveled internationally, while one case has been reported in Knox County. No cases have been confirmed in Ross County as of March 30, 2025, but local health officials are on high alert.
In Chillicothe, the Ross County Health District is intensifying efforts to promote the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine amid fears that the disease could spread to the area. The virus, which spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, can infect around 18 unvaccinated people per case. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a widespread rash, lasting seven to 10 days. Complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, and brain swelling can follow, with severe cases potentially proving fatal years later due to neurological damage.
Nationally, vaccination rates for the MMR vaccine have declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, raising the risk of outbreaks. Before the vaccine’s introduction in 1963, measles infected millions of Americans annually, killing hundreds and causing thousands of cases of brain swelling. The CDC reports that the MMR vaccine offers 93% protection after the first dose, typically given at age one, and 97% after the second dose, administered around age five.
In Ross County, health officials are particularly concerned about unvaccinated children and immunocompromised individuals, who face the highest risk of severe illness. While no deaths have been reported in Ohio, an unvaccinated child in Texas and an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico died from measles earlier this year. The Ross County Health District is offering MMR vaccines at its Chillicothe clinic, with fees potentially waived based on income or covered by insurance.
Local child care centers in Chillicothe are under scrutiny as parents question safety for children too young to be fully vaccinated. Ohio law requires children in licensed day cares to provide proof of vaccination or be in the process of receiving them, though exemptions are allowed for medical reasons or parental objections based on conscience. The current non-medical exemption rate for Ohio kindergarteners is around 4%, slightly above the national average of 3.3%.
Health experts in Chillicothe emphasize that the MMR vaccine remains the most effective defense against measles. While masks like KN95s and handwashing can offer some protection, they are not considered reliable substitutes. The Ross County Health District has also cautioned against unproven remedies, such as high doses of vitamin A, which have been linked to toxicity cases in other states.