WAVERLY, Ohio — The Pike County General Health District said Friday that 20 additional measles cases have been confirmed in the county, raising the total to 22 confirmed cases and two suspected cases, a sharp jump from the single case the agency reported earlier this month.
The health district said it has completed contact tracing for the new cases, including identifying potential exposures, notifying people who may have come into contact with an infected individual and providing guidance on next steps.
Officials did not release the ages, vaccination status or likely exposure locations of the newly confirmed patients.
People infected with measles are contagious starting four days before a rash appears and remain contagious through the fourth day after the rash develops, the health district said. The day the rash first appears is counted as Day 0, meaning an infected person can spread the virus before symptoms are visible. The health district is advising anyone diagnosed with measles to remain isolated through Day 4 of the rash, and said severely immunocompromised patients may need to isolate longer.
Measles symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes, typically followed by a rash. Symptoms generally appear seven to 14 days after exposure but can take as long as 21 days to show up, according to the health district.
Anyone who develops symptoms consistent with measles should avoid contact with other people and call a healthcare provider before going to a medical facility, the health district said, so staff can take precautions to avoid exposing other patients.
The health district continues to recommend the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as the most effective protection against the virus. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing infection, according to the agency.
Residents who need vaccination or are unsure of their vaccination status are encouraged to call the health district at 740-947-7721; officials said arrangements can be made for vaccinations at another location for people who have difficulty getting to the office.
The Pike County General Health District first confirmed a single measles case in the county on Oct. 8. Earlier this month, the agency joined the Ross County and Highland County health districts to hold a vaccine clinic in Bainbridge as part of a broader regional response to rising case counts.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to contact their healthcare provider or the health district as soon as possible for guidance.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Pike County General Health District.
