Franklin County toddler Ohio’s first measles case since 2019
COLUMBUS — A 17-month-old girl from Franklin County is Ohio’s first case of measles since 2019, the state Department of Health announced Thursday.
The infected toddler recently traveled to a country with confirmed measles cases. She is under the jurisdiction of the Columbus Department of Health, which means she most likely resides in Columbus, though there is a slight chance she lives in Worthington since the department also serves that city.
A statement by the Columbus Department of Health said an early investigation showed little risk to the public, and the affected family is isolating at home. The state is not disclosing additional information about the girl.
Ohio occasionally sees measles cases as the result of importations from other countries where measles remains endemic, according to a release from the state health department.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that as of June 3, a total of three measles cases were reported by two jurisdictions ( jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City and the District of Columbia).
Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff said a decline in childhood vaccinations has led to the spread of childhood disease outbreaks.
“In recent years, nationwide we have seen a slight drop in vaccination rates among our children,” Vanderhoff said. “This has led to several outbreaks, such as measles, that again, are largely preventable.”
The state is sharing vaccination guidance and information with all its partners, including local health departments, hospitals, health care providers, school nurses, higher education leaders, other state agencies and faith-based organizations, a release said.
Previously, Ohio’s last confirmed measles outbreak was in 2014, with 382 confirmed cases, the ODH said.
Measles is extremely contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing, the ODH said. If one person has measles, up to 90% of those who come into contact with that person and who are not immune will also become infected.
Measles symptoms include a rash, high fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite and red, watery eyes. The rash usually lasts 5-6 days and begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck and proceeds down the body. Diarrhea and ear infections are common complications of measles. More severe complications may also occur.
Measles remains common in many parts of world, the CDC says, and the top 10 counties where large outbreaks are occurring include, in order: Nigeria, India,
Somalia, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Liberia, Cameroon and Côte d’ivoire.
Travelers with measles bring the disease into the U.S., where it can spread in communities with pockets of unvaccinated people, according to the state. Those planning international travel are encouraged to contact their health care providers to ensure they are fully protected against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Complications from measles are more common among children younger than age 5, adults older than 20, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems, according to the state. In some rare circumstances, complications from measles can cause death in young children.
Measles may also cause pregnant women who have not had the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to give birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby.