COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the Director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), has confirmed the first case of measles in Ohio for the year 2024. The affected individual is a child from Montgomery County.
Collaborating with Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County, the ODH is actively working to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to the virus.
As of now, no additional cases have been reported, and the ODH is maintaining close coordination with health departments in Dayton and other affected regions for a comprehensive investigation.
For further details on this case, refer to the news release from Dayton & Montgomery County available here.
In 2023, Ohio recorded a single measles case, contrasting with 90 cases in 2022, which emerged during an outbreak centered in central Ohio, totaling 85 cases. These instances marked the first cases since 2019 in the state.
With a recent rise in measles prevalence globally and reported cases in the United States, Dr. Vanderhoff emphasizes the highly contagious nature of measles, spreading through coughing and sneezing.
Underlining the importance of vaccination, Dr. Vanderhoff recommends the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises administering two doses of the MMR vaccine to children, starting at 12 through 15 months and the second dose at 4 through 6 years.
The MMR vaccine is also recommended for adults born after 1957, particularly those with an unknown vaccination status. Dr. Vanderhoff stresses that vaccination is key to preventing measles and urges those who are unvaccinated to consider getting vaccinated.
Measles is known to remain viable in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Contaminated air or surfaces may lead to infection if not handled cautiously.
Symptoms of measles encompass a rash, high fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, and red, watery eyes. The rash typically lasts 5-6 days, starting at the hairline and progressing down the body. Complications such as diarrhea and ear infections are common, with more severe complications occurring in children under 5 years, adults over 20 years, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.
Dr. Vanderhoff concludes by highlighting that measles can be a serious illness for anyone and reiterates the crucial role of vaccination in preventing its spread.
