WAVERLY, Ohio — Measles cases in Pike County have climbed to 24 confirmed infections, with two more suspected, and an infant has been hospitalized with the virus, the Pike County General Health District announced Monday.
The hospitalization of the infant underscores the danger measles poses to the county’s youngest residents, the health district said, noting that infants and young children who have not yet completed their vaccination series are especially vulnerable to serious complications from the virus.
The new total marks a continued climb in an outbreak that began with a single confirmed case on Oct. 8 and had grown to 22 confirmed cases by Oct. 23, when the health district said it had completed contact tracing on the earlier cluster of patients. Officials have not released the ages, vaccination status or likely exposure locations of the newly confirmed patients.
The health district reiterated guidance on how the virus spreads: 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 day the rash first appears is counted as Day 0, meaning an infected person can spread the virus before symptoms are even 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 and staff.
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.
Earlier in the outbreak, the Pike County General Health District joined the Ross County and Highland County health districts to hold a regional vaccine clinic in Bainbridge as case counts began rising across the area.
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.
