Ashtabula County resident tests positive for measles
An Ashtabula County resident tested positive for measles this week, according to Thursday press releases from the Ashtabula County Health Department and Ohio Department of Health.
Ashtabula County Health Commissioner Jay Becker said the county resident who tested positive is an adult.
The ACHD release said the case completed its isolation period, and both departments are following up on other potential exposures.
The infected person's family has been isolated and is being monitored for symptoms, Becker said.
He said this is the only positive case they have right now.
'We're hoping that other cases are contained,' Becker said.
The ACHD found out about the positive test soon before the releases went out, Becker said.
This is the first measles case in Ohio this year, according to the ODH.
'Ohio had 90 cases of measles in 2022, when an outbreak centered in central Ohio totaled 85 cases,' the ODH release states. 'The state had one measles case in 2023 and seven in 2024.'
The individual who became infected was unvaccinated, and had contact with a person who traveled internationally, according to ODH.
'Measles' prevalence has been increasing recently internationally, and there are ongoing outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico,' according to the OHD.
Measles is extremely contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing, according to the ACHD release.
'Individuals can spread it to others, even before they have symptoms,' the ACHD said.
The virus can live up to two hours in the air, and symptoms can manifest between seven to 21 days after exposure.
About one in five people who get measles will he hospitalized, according to the ACHD release.
'Symptoms of measles can include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash beginning 3-5 days after other symptoms occur,' the ACHD release states.
Complications of measles include pneumonia, dehydration, brain swelling, diarrhea and ear infections.
Complications are common for children under five, adults above 20, pregnant women and immunocompromised people, and can lead to death, according to ODH.
Becker said being vaccinated against the disease is a priority.
'Everyone needs to take an inventory case of their vaccinations,' he said.
Becker said children between five and 15 are very susceptible to the disease.
Parents should check their children's vaccination status, he said.
The measles vaccine is safe and very effective against the disease, according to the ODH release.
'Two doses of MMR is 97% effective against measles,' the ODH release said. 'If you are up to date on measles vaccine, the risk of getting sick is very low.'
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