Measles cases rise across US

As of the end of May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report there have been 1,088 confirmed measles cases this year in 33 states including Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Kentucky. The CDC also reported 90% of confirmed cases were outbreak-associated. The largest outbreak is currently in northern Texas. A May 9 article from NPR claims this year has seen "the second-highest case count in 25 years, topped only by 2019 when more than 1,200 measles cases were detected." According to statistics from Data Ohio, a database mapping cases of infectious diseases across the state, as of June 3, there are 36 cases of measles in Ohio, none of which are currently in Hancock, Seneca or Wyandot Counties. Ashtabula County has 16 cases, Knox County has 14 cases and Allen, Butler, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Holmes and Montgomery counties have one confirmed case each. At a recent Seneca County General Health District meeting, epidemiologist Caitlin Dennison reported she was aware of the current concern for the rising number of cases in other parts of the country and was working on being so prepared in the case of an outbreak in Seneca County that "measles is just going to be afraid of us and not come here at all," Dennison said with a smile. She said she had run through simulation scenarios to discuss how to contain the spread of measles should a case be reported in the county. What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious and airborne disease affecting the respiratory system. Symptoms can include a fever, cough, runny nose and rash. "Symptoms usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear as late as 21 days after exposure," Hannah Plumley of Hancock County Public Health said. Dennison said respiratory symptoms can last three to five days before the white "Koplik" spots can appear inside the mouth, followed by a red blotchy rash that may appear on the face before spreading to the rest of the body. While some may think measles is simply "flu-like symptoms," Wyandot County Public Health Director of Nursing Candace Kimmel says "the risk for severe illness from measles is considerable. In the United States around one in five people who contract measles will be hospitalized." Is there cause for concern? The Advertiser-Tribune asked health professionals in Hancock, Seneca and Wyandot counties about how best to stay prepared during the noted increase in cases happening across the U.S. "The overall measles outbreak risk to the general population is low," Dennison said. "The risk is higher among communities that do not have high vaccination rates … If Seneca County sees one case, that does not mean the county would necessarily experience an outbreak." Kimmel agreed, and added that the virus is so contagious that "nine out of ten susceptible people will develop measles when exposed." Those most at risk include children, those who are immunocompromised and those with religious and medical vaccination exemptions. Plumley explained why measles is so contagious. "Although many people associate measles with a rash, it is a respiratory illness and is spread through tiny droplets in the air. These droplets can remain in the air continuing to potentially infect people for two hours after an infected person leaves the area." Plumley also reported measles cases are on the rise because "lowering vaccination rates are putting a threat to herd immunity." In order for herd immunity to be effective, at least 95% of the population has to be considered immune. "In Ohio, 89.2% of kindergarteners have had two MMR doses (of the vaccine) vs. 92.7 nationwide," Plumley said. In Seneca County, Dennison reported 85.7% of kindergarteners had received both doses during the 2024-25 school year. The science is clear According to the World Health Organization, "before the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year." The health professionals from all three counties advised the best way to stay healthy is to get vaccinated with both doses of the MMR vaccine. One dose is 93% effective, while both doses are 97% effective. "Children can receive their first dose at 12-15 months of age and their second dose between 4-6 years of age," Plumley advised. "If traveling internationally, infants can get a dose of MMR as early as six months of age. They should then get two more doses after their first birthday." How to get vaccinated To ask about receiving the MMR vaccine, those in Hancock County can call the Hancock Public Health's nursing line at 419-424-7441 to schedule an appointment; those in Seneca County can call 419-3691 ext. 6333; and those in Wyandot County can call 419-294-3852, with immunization clinics scheduled on Mondays in Upper Sandusky and every second Monday of the month in Carey.