Butler County Infant Diagnosed with Measles: Health Department Urges Immunization to Prevent Further Outbreaks

On Thursday, Erik Balster, the health commissioner of Butler County, announced that an infant under a year old from the county had been diagnosed with measles. The baby contracted the disease through international travel and returned to the U.S. via a Chicago-area airport before traveling to Ohio by car.

Health department staff worked tirelessly over the July 4th holiday to notify close contacts of the child about their potential exposure to measles. Those who did not receive a call from Butler County General Health District can assume that they were not exposed to the disease.

The best way to protect yourself and your family from measles is through immunization. Infants under a year old who are traveling are advised to receive an early dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine between 6 and 11 months of age, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For questions about vaccination or to schedule an appointment for vaccination, please contact Butler County General Health District at 513-863-1770.