Shoppers exposed to measles at busy Kroger, health officials say

WHIO Staff
·2 min read

A case of measles has been identified in a Miami County resident, according to a spokesperson with Miami County Public Health.

As reported on News Center 7 at 11, this case is connected to a measles case reported last month.

Those who may have been in contact with the infected person are being notified by local health departments.

The individual who has measles traveled to a Montgomery County Kroger, the spokesperson said.

If you were in the Kroger Marketplace on 885 Union Blvd, Englewood, on Feb. 13 from 12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m., you were exposed to measles.

>>RELATED: Measles vaccination clinic opens in Montgomery County

Dennis Propes, Miami County Health Commissioner, said the latest measles case was from someone who went to Kroger’s “Little Clinic.”

“If somebody’s coughing, sneezing, and someone’s in close proximity, they could very well contract measles,” Propes said.

In January News Center 7 reported a person at Dayton Children’s had measles.

“The case from Montgomery County and this case, there was a contact, close contact with those two,” Propes said.

Propes said your best bet to be protected is to get vaccinated.

“Since COVID, we are seeing an increase in vaccine hesitancy among people. And this is part of the consequences, diseases that we typically don’t see a lot of the measles, mumps, rubella, polio, they’re going to start rearing their ugly head if those vaccine schedules aren’t, aren’t followed by people,” he said.

Public Health Dayton & Montgomery County is investigating the exposure. Click here to report your exposure.

According to Miami County Public Health, local health department nursing staff need to get in touch with you to discuss the next steps you should take to protect your health and the health of others.

>>RELATED: Measles case reported in Montgomery County

“Children infected with measles can spread it to others, even before they have symptoms. The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air after an infected person leaves the room. Nine out of 10 unvaccinated children who are exposed to measles will become infected,” the spokesperson said.

Symptoms of measles can include:

  • High fever

  • Cough

  • Runny nose

  • Watery eyes

Three to five days after these symptoms occur, a rash can appear.

>>RELATED: ‘Extremely contagious;’ Public Health warns community after confirmed measles case

“Measles can be serious, and about 1 in 5 people who get measles will be hospitalized with complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, or brain swelling,” the spokesperson said.

We will continue to follow this story.