The Ohio Department of Health has declared a Measles outbreak in Ashtabula County. All 10 identified Measles cases are in unvaccinated individuals.  

As a reminder, Measles is a vacine-preventable virus illness that causes symptoms that include fever, runny nose, watery red eyes, cough, and a characteristic rash. Symptoms may take up to three weeks to appear after exposure, even though patients can be contagious in that interim time. Serious consequences of Measles infection include pneumonia and encephalitis. As many as one in 20 children with Measles will develop pneumonia, the most common cause of death from Measles in young children. Encephalitis is the clinical term for inflammation of the brain that can lead to seizures, coma, or permanent brain damage. 

Measles is extremely contagious. Patients with Measles can be spreading the germ through their respiratory droplets while speaking, sneezing, laughing, or coughing for several days before symptoms appear and for several days after they resolve. Measles droplets can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for hours after the infected person has left the room And for those without immunization are 90% likely to catch the Measles after an exposure. To sum up: A student who has the Measles but has no symptoms yet could be in school gym or cafeteria and then leave, and 9 out of 10 susceptible children who then breath the air in the gym for up to two hours afterwards are going to catch Measles.

Luckily, we have a very powerful and accessible tool to protect ourselves. Individuals who receive the 2-dose MMR vaccine series should be 97% protected from a severe case of Measles. Even one vaccination affords 93% coverage against infection. The standard childhood immunization schedule recommends the first MMR vaccine at one year of age, but it can be given as early as six months old if there is increased risk from a localized outbreak.

You can find additional reliable information at the CDC website here and the Ohio Department of Health’s Measles FAQ page here. Stay Safe!.