PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — The Portsmouth City Health Department is urging area residents to make sure they and their families are vaccinated against measles after health officials confirmed a case of the highly contagious disease in neighboring Meigs County.
The department said in a Facebook post that it had received notice of the confirmed case and used the announcement to remind residents what measles is, how it spreads and how they can protect themselves.
Measles spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, and can cause severe complications and even death, according to the health department. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash that can cover the entire body. The Meigs County Health Department, which is tracking the case, says on its website that the virus can spread to as much as 90% of unvaccinated people who come into close contact with someone who is infected.
Anyone can contract measles, but the health department said children and people who have not been vaccinated face the greatest risk. Health officials say community-wide vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent an outbreak from taking hold, which is why they are encouraging residents to make sure friends and family members have received the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of the vaccine for children — the first between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between ages 4 and 6, before they start school, according to the Meigs County Health Department. The Portsmouth City Health Department said the shot is safe, typically provides lifelong protection against measles and rubella, and is not harmful to receive even after a possible exposure.
Residents who want to schedule a vaccination can call the Portsmouth City Health Department at 740-353-8863. The department said it also offers a primary care clinic, mobile medical units and other immunization services for anyone with questions about their vaccination status. General questions can be directed to the department at 740-353-5153 or through its website, portsmouthcityhealth.org. The department also pointed residents to the World Health Organization’s measles fact sheet for more information about the disease.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Portsmouth City Health Department.
