Clermont County reports possible measles case
Clermont County Public Health is investigating a possible case of measles. If confirmed, it will be the fourth case of measles in the state so far this year.
The Ohio Department of Health is aware of the situation as county health officials work with the individual and their health provider to collect more information. Clermont County Public Health released basic information on Tuesday.
Keith Robinson, Communications Coordinator for Clermont County Public Health, told the Enquirer Wednesday that confirmation of the case is still pending. He said it is still considered a possible measles exposure, but that there is currently no information available to link the individual to any other confirmed case in the state.
"It is still a potential measles exposure, pending further investigation. At this time, there is no information to link this individual to the confirmed case in Montgomery County. The case confirmation is pending further investigation and follow-up."
The county health department said in a statement it is working with the affected individual and their healthcare provider to learn more.
The potential case follows the state’s first confirmed case of measles, in which an unvaccinated child from Montgomery County traveled out of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and the state’s first confirmed case of mumps at a Cincinnati elementary school. Both cases occurred in late January.
Two other cases of measles have been confirmed in Ohio this year. One was in Richland County and the other was in Miami County, according to Ken Gordon, a spokesperson from the Ohio Health Department.
Ohio's measles, mumps vaccine rate lower than national rate
Measles and mumps can be prevented by the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
For the 2022-23 school year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 89% of Ohio’s kindergarten population received the MMR vaccine, falling under the national vaccination rate of 93%.
Ohio’s Columbus-area measles outbreak was the largest in the US in 2022, with unvaccinated cases accounting for 94% of the outbreak.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Symptoms for measles, which is highly contagious, usually appear seven to 14 days after exposure to the virus. They include a rash, a high fever, a runny nose, and watery red eyes.
“We want to be extra cautious and make sure our residents know the signs and symptoms and how to protect themselves from measles,” said Julianne Nesbit, Clermont County Health Commissioner. “The best thing you can do is to stay up to date on your vaccines and stay home when you’re sick.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Possible measles case in Clermont County, health officials report
