Measles outbreak in Ohio infects 82 children, most unvaccinated

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Dec. 30, 2022 (HealthDay News) — A measles outbreak in central Ohio has now infected at least 82 children.

Most of those affected by the outbreak are under the age of 5, state officials say reported. Since details of the first measles cases were announced last month by Columbus Public Health, 32 children have been hospitalized.

The first four cases were in unvaccinated children with no travel history who were linked to a child care center in Franklin County, Ohio.

Vaccination data were not available for four of the infected children, but all the others were at least partially unvaccinated, having received no dose or only one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in two injections.

“Measles isn’t just a little rash,” say the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.”

Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mycheika Roberts urged parents to have their children vaccinated, CBS News reported.

Public health officials recommend that children receive their first dose of MMR between 12 and 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

About 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to measles will become infected, Columbus health officials have warned. About 20% of those who end up hospitalized with the virus.

Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, about a week or two after exposure, according to the CDC. These symptoms are usually followed by a rash about three to five days later.

Ohio outbreak includes most 2022 measles cases in US, CBS News reported, with numbers now higher than the cases reported in 2020 and 2021 combined.

No child has died in this outbreak so far, CBS News reported.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on measles.

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