Measles Outbreak in Ohio: One Year Old Child Contracts Viral Disease Through International Travel

In Ohio, a case of measles has been reported in a child less than a year old. The infant contracted the disease through international travel and returned to the United States via a Chicago-area airport before traveling to Ohio by car. Health officials in Butler County have not provided any additional information about the affected individual, but are working to notify close contacts of their exposure status. If you receive a call from the Butler County General Health District (BCGHD), it means that there has been an exposure to measles.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and rash, and there is no specific treatment for the disease. Health officials emphasize the importance of immunization to protect against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The measles vaccine is recommended for unvaccinated individuals aged one year and older, with children receiving the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose at 4-6 years of age.

In the United States, the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine is typically administered at 12 months of age, but may be given as early as six months for children traveling abroad or at risk of exposure during an outbreak. Anyone unsure of their vaccination status or experiencing measles symptoms should contact a healthcare provider. Vaccination appointments can be scheduled through the Butler County General Health District, and more information about measles is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.