An unvaccinated adult in Ashtabula contracted the first case of measles in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The individual had contact with someone who recently traveled internationally and was confirmed to have contracted the highly contagious respiratory virus.
The Thursday announcement follows measles outbreaks in Texas and cases in 17 other states. More than 300 cases have affected mostly unvaccinated children and teenagers in west Texas, with one death connected to the virus.
The Texas death is the first confirmed measles death in the U.S. since 2019 — one other death is being investigated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of March 20, the CDC has reported 378 confirmed cases in the U.S. — 95% of those who became ill were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. Twenty-seven percent of children under 5 years of age who contracted measles have been hospitalized since Jan. 1.
Here’s more information to help you understand the disease and protect yourself and your family.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes a head-to-toe skin rash and flu-like symptoms.
“Measles is the most contagious virus known today; 90% of unimmunized people who are exposed will develop a measles infection,” said Evelyn Pangonis, MD, a pediatric infectious disease physician and medical director of infection control at Akron Children’s. “Measles is currently spreading in areas of Texas and New Mexico.”
The new case in Ohio is the first since July 2024, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
How does measles spread?
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is very contagious — you can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been by touching surfaces that the infectious droplets landed on, such as countertops or doorknobs.
This can happen even up to two hours after that person has left.
What are the symptoms?
The first signs of an infection include a hacking cough, stuffy or runny nose, red and watery eyes, high fever, sore throat and small, red spots with blue-white centers inside the mouth, according to information provided by Akron Children’s hospital.
Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash will appear, usually on the forehead. It will spread down the neck, torso, arms, legs and feet. A high fever might accompany the rash.
The infection is most contagious four days prior to and four days after the rash appears. The fever and rash will slowly disappear.
Akron Children’s recommends calling a pediatrician if your child develops a high fever, doesn’t look well or shows signs of dehydration. Also contact your pediatrician if your child exhibits a barky cough, experiences eye pain or light sensitivity or has severe lesions in their mouth that make it difficult for them to eat or drink.
Get medical help right away if someone who is sick with the measles:
- Has seizure-like movements, such as jerking of the arms, legs or body.
- Is very drowsy.
- Has trouble breathing or is breathing very rapidly.
Can measles cases become serious?
Yes, measles can become severe and cause dangerous complications such as ear infections, croup, pneumonia and encephalitis, a swelling around the brain. In some cases, these complications can lead to death.
Children under age 5, adults over the age of 20, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of complications.
Vaccinations are the best prevention
The measles vaccine is also called MMR because it protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Individuals who received two doses as children — a first dose at age 12 through 15 months and a second dose at age 4 through 6 years — are considered protected for life by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Adults born after 1957 are considered protected if they have had one dose of the vaccine. The MMR vaccine can also be given to adults born after 1957 who are not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
Adults who may be at high-risk (individuals traveling internationally, college students or healthcare personnel) should get two doses separated by at least 28 days. It usually takes two to three weeks for individuals to be fully protected.
For individuals who are unsure if they are immune, the CDC recommends looking for vaccination records or written documentation of immunity. If there is no documentation, the CDC says there is no harm in getting another dose of the vaccine.
“The fact that we now have a measles case in Ohio adds emphasis to the importance of being fully vaccinated,” said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the director of the Ohio Department of Health, in a press release. “This disease can be very serious, but it is preventable. I strongly encourage you to protect yourselves and your children by getting vaccinated.”
Vaccination coverage overall among kindergartners in the U.S. decreased from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to 92.7% in the 2023-2024 school year. For the MMR vaccine specifically, coverage was 92.7% in the 2023-2024 school year.
What is herd immunity?
Herd immunity occurs when the spread of a disease in a population is controlled when a specific amount of that population, known as a threshold, becomes immune to disease through vaccination or infection and recovery.
A disease such as measles that is very contagious, requires more than 95% of the population to be immune in order to stop sustained disease transmission and achieve herd immunity, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association’s website.
Is the measles vaccine safe?
The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective at preventing measles, Vanderhoff said. Two doses of MMR is 97% effective against measles. Those who are up to date on the measles vaccine have a very low risk of contracting the disease.
“The most important thing parents need to know about measles is that it is a vaccine-preventable disease,” said Dr. Therese Linnon, a pediatrician at Akron Children’s, in information provided by the hospital.
“One dose of the measles vaccine provides 93% effectiveness at preventing measles. After two doses of the measles vaccine, your child will have about 97% effective prevention from the measles,” Linnon said.
Where can I can an MMR vaccine?
To schedule a vaccine appointment with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, call 216-201-2041 or visit this page.
Area pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreen’s advertise MMR vaccines on their websites.
How is vitamin A used to treat measles?
Infectious disease doctors are concerned that messaging from the federal government, particularly from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is emphasizing treatments like vitamin A more than vaccinations to prevent the disease in the first place.
“Vitamin A helps prevent measles from becoming more severe. When a patient has measles, the virus decreases the natural amount of vitamin A in the body,” Linnon said. “A patient can have eye damage without vitamin A.”
Low vitamin A may also increase the risk of serious illness, including pneumonia, Linnon continued. “This means that if your child has measles, your pediatrician should discuss giving your child vitamin A to help lessen complications from the disease. This DOES NOT mean that the vitamin A will prevent or treat the measles, but it may reduce the effects from the virus.”
Vitamin A supplements should only be given under the direction of a doctor, Linnon said. “Large doses of vitamin A can be dangerous and can make your child very sick. Too much vitamin A can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, tiredness, joint and bone pain, blurry vision and skin and hair problems.”
Linnon cautioned that large doses of vitamin A can lead to liver damage and coma. “Vitamin A cannot and will not prevent the measles,” the pediatrician said.
There is no dose of vitamin A that will protect from the measles.
“The best proven way to prevent your child from getting the measles,” Linnon said, “is by vaccinating with the measles vaccine.”
More measles resources
University Hospitals: Should you be worried about measles?
CDC website, including general information and the recommended immunization schedule.
Ohio Department of Health’s measles FAQ page.
Dr. Patricia Raimer, director of critical care medicine at Akron Children’s, explains how measles is transmitted and how to protect yourself in this video.
Ohio Department of Health press release on measles case in Ohio