Ohio's Measles Outbreak Continues Expanding

The Health Department of the City of Columbas, Ohio, published an updated online report today, revealing 63 confirmed measles cases in (60) unvaccinated people, of which 25 were hospitalized but with no related fatalities.

About 70% of these measles cases are in children less than five years of age.

The data as of December 8, 2022, reflects an increase of 13 measles cases in central Ohio over the past week.

Columbus health officials reported people later confirmed with measles recently visited these locations:

• Dollar Tree. 5990 Westerville Rd., Thursday, 12/1/22, 6:20-8:50 p.m.
• Polaris Mall – Macy's & JCPenney stores, 1500 Polaris Parkway, Friday, 11/25/22, 6:30-10:30 p.m. 
• Jesus Power Assembly of God, 5215 Cleveland Ave., Sunday, 11/20/22, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Meijer, 6175 Sawmill Road, Saturday, 11/19/22, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The U.S. CDC says measles outbreaks can happen in areas where people may be unvaccinated or under-vaccinated, including the U.S.

Measles can enter the U.S. through infected travelers entering the U.S. as well as through infected U.S. travelers returning from other countries.

Currently, measles outbreaks are occurring in every region of the world.

The top ten global measles outbreaks this year are led by India, with 9,489 cases.

On November 23, 2022, the World Health Organization reported that nearly forty million children are susceptible to the measles virus.

As of today, the U.S. CDC has not included Columbus in its recent measles Travel Alerts.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that lives in a prrson's nose and throat mucus. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing and lives for up to two hours in airspace after an infected person leaves the area.

If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.

Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the rash appears.

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease. In the U.S., various measles vaccines are available at most clinics and pharmacies.

Other measles outbreak news is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.com/Measles.

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