Latest news with #JayBecker
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Three more measles cases confirmed in county
The Ashtabula County Health Department has confirmed three more measles cases, bringing the total for the county this year to 14. The ACHD had been monitoring a household for more cases after confirming an eleventh measles case toward the end of last week. Ashtabula County Health Commissioner Jay Becker said the eleventh case was an unvaccinated adult who traveled internationally. The ADHD was monitoring people in the the eleventh case's household to determine whether others had the disease, Becker said. 'These suspect cases are now confirmed,' he said. Becker said the three new cases were unvaccinated children. The health department is monitoring another adult in the house to see if they develop symptoms, he said. All five members of the household are isolating so they do not infect anyone else. Becker said the ACHD is not aware of any other suspect cases in the county at this time. No school districts are being affected by the measles outbreak. The health department will update its numbers with any new cases if it gets them, Becker said. The ACHD and the Ohio Department of Health confirmed the first case of the year in the state March 20, and later announced an outbreak for the country after confirming nine more cases March 25. The original ten cases have completed their isolation period and are no longer infectious, Becker said. The four newer cases are not connected to the previous ten, Becker said. 'We know how to stop this,' he said. 'It's getting a vaccine.' Becker said all 14 cases in the county this year were in unvaccinated individuals. 'That should really be the story here,' he said. The best way to fight measles is to get the MMR vaccine, Becker said. 'With something as serious as this, the vaccine is the best and only defense,' he said. Becker encouraged people who are not sure of their vaccination status to get vaccinated, he said. 'I don't know how to stress this enough,' he said. The ACHD offers walk-in vaccine clinics 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday at its office, at 12 West Jefferson St. in Jefferson. Alongside the in-office clinics, the health department has a regular set of community neighborhood mobile clinics scheduled. People can go to the ACHD's website, to see a list of clinics. The department also schedules clinics for the Amish community.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Another county measles case confirmed
An eleventh Ashtabula County measles case was recently confirmed by the county health department. ACHD Health Commissioner Jay Becker said the case was an adult who should be completing their isolation period soon. 'We have not heard of any others,' he said. Becker said the department is monitoring suspected cases related to the eleventh confirmed case. 'We continue to monitor the person's household,' he said. Becker said all members of the household are isolating. The department should know of any more cases from the household in the next few days, he said. The ACHD and the Ohio Department of Health announced the first measles case in the county March 20. Both agencies announced there was an outbreak in the county March 25, after nine more cases were confirmed. The cases were in people who were unvaccinated. One person was hospitalized for measles. The first case in the county was someone who was exposed to another person who traveled internationally. Becker said the eleventh case was an unvaccinated person who traveled internationally and was infected outside the United States. 'There is no link to the other 10 [cases],' he said. The health department has been offering regular vaccine clinics. 'There's a lot of clinics we put together,' Becker said. The ACHD offers walk-in vaccine clinics 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday at its office, at 12 West Jefferson St. in Jefferson. 'Vaccination is the way to [go], moving forward,' Becker said. People can go to the ACHD's website, go to the nursing department and click on immunizations to see a list of clinics. Alongside the in-office clinics, the health department has a regular set of community neighborhood mobile clinics scheduled. The department also schedules clinics for the Amish community. 'We want to get you vaccinated,' he said. Becker said he is not optimistic about the future of measles, while monitoring its national progress. 'I really don't see this measles going away,' he said. Becker encouraged people to get vaccinated. 'It would be best, if you have any questions about your vaccine status, [to] get a vaccine,' he said.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
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.'
