MEIGS COUNTY, Ohio – The Meigs County Health Department (MCHD) is reporting four measles cases in Meigs County, Ohio. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is working with MCHD to follow up on potential exposures and promote opportunities for vaccination. MCHD is working with the individuals to identify contacts. The contacts will be notified by their local health department and provided guidance on quarantining.
Symptoms of measles can include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a rash beginning three to five (3-5) days after other symptoms occur. Start of symptoms may be delayed in people with compromised immune systems. Measles can be serious, and about one out of every five people (20%) who get measles will be hospitalized with complications like pneumonia, dehydration, or swelling of the brain. In pregnant women who have not had the MMR vaccine, measles may cause a premature birth, or a low-birth-weight baby.
Measles is a very contagious virus that can spread easily to others, even before a person has symptoms. The measles virus can live for up to two (2) hours in the air after an infected person leaves the room. Symptoms usually appear 7 – 14 days after a person comes in contact with the virus, but it can take as long as 21 days for symptoms to appear.
Please note: Public Health does not provide testing or treatment for measles. If you are experiencing symptoms, avoid contact with others and seek care from your healthcare provider. Call the provider before you arrive to notify them you have a measles concern, so that further spread can be prevented.
Although the likelihood of getting measles is low in vaccinated individuals, it is still important to stay alert and take precautions. It is important to note that individuals born before 1957 likely have immunity to measles through exposure. The measles (MMR) vaccine is recommended at 12 – 15 months and again at 4 – 6 years of age. If you are unsure of your vaccination status, contact your healthcare provider. Immunizations or medications may be given after exposure in some cases to prevent illness, again, contact your healthcare provider for additional information. More information and updates will be shared through a media release and the MCHD social media page when available. For more information about measles, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
