COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health are investigating a measles outbreak associated with a local child care facility, Columbus Public Health announced Nov. 9.
There are currently four confirmed cases, all in unvaccinated children with no travel history. The child care facility is cooperating, has notified parents, and has temporarily closed down.
CPH and FCPH are conducting investigations and contact tracing on the four cases.
“We are working diligently with the cases to identify any potential exposures and to notify people who were exposed,” said Dr. Mysheika Roberts, Columbus Public Health Commissioner. “The most important thing you can do to protect against measles is to get vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is safe and highly effective.”
With the risk of measles spreading in the community, parents are encouraged to make sure their children are up to date on their childhood immunizations, including the MMR vaccine.
Measles is preventable with two doses of MMR vaccine. MMR vaccines are available at Columbus Public Health during regular vaccine clinic hours and at Franklin County Public Health by appointment only. Children also can get MMR vaccines from their pediatrician.
Data shows 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected. About one in five people in the U.S. who get measles will be hospitalized.
Measles spreads easily through coughing, talking or being in the same room with someone who has measles. Initial symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes followed by a rash that typically spreads from the head to the rest of the body.
It typically takes eight to 12 days from exposure to the first symptom, which is usually fever. The measles rash usually appears two to three days after the fever begins.
Columbus Public Health encourages anyone who has symptoms of measles to call their doctor or clinic and see if they need to come in for a visit. It is important for one to call their provider ahead of time to let them know about symptoms or potential exposure before going in.
“Measles is both highly contagious and preventable,” said Joe Mazzola, Franklin County Health Commissioner. “It can be a severe illness, so we strongly encourage anyone who has not been vaccinated to get vaccinated to prevent further spread.”
These four new cases bring the total number of confirmed measles cases in Franklin County to eight since June 2022.
For more information about measles, click here.
For questions, Columbus Public Health can be reached at 614-645-1519 and Franklin County Public Health at 614-525-3791.
