Latest news with #Vanderhoff
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Department of Health announces measles outbreak in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) announced a measles outbreak in Ashtabula County on Wednesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] One person in Knox County also tested positive for measles. They have exposed the virus to people in Knox County and other nearby counties, according to a spokesperson from the department. TRENDING STORIES: 'Kind of disappointed;' Local Dollar General closes its doors, more to close across the country Former daycare employee facing criminal charges after several infants suffer brain injuries Video shows officers respond to chaotic scene following lounge shooting ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff has identified 10 measles cases in Ashtabula County. Nine of these cases are linked to the adult male who was reported as the first case in Ohio this year. The spokesperson said none of these individuals have been vaccinated. 'Given the measles activity in Texas, New Mexico, and other states around the country, we're disappointed but not surprised we now have several cases here in Ohio and known exposure in some counties,' Vanderhoff said. 'This disease can be very serious, even deadly, but it is almost entirely avoidable by being properly vaccinated. Measles is especially dangerous for young children, so I strongly urge all parents across Ohio to make sure your children are vaccinated. It is a crucial layer of protection that can save lives.' The department is working with health departments in Ashtabula and Knox counties to follow up on potential exposures and promote opportunities to get vaccinated, according to the spokesperson. ODH defines a measles outbreak as three or more reported cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 378 cases of measles across the United States as of March 20, according to the spokesperson. The department said there were 90 measles cases in Ohio in 2022, one case in 2023, and seven cases in 2024. Measles cases are increasing nationally, including outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico, the spokesperson said. The virus is very contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing. Nine out of 10 people who are not vaccinated and are exposed to the disease will become ill, according to the department. For more information on measles, click here. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ohio reports first measles case of 2025
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The Ohio Department of Health has reported the state's first measles case of 2025. ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff says the adult infected lives in Ashtabula County and was unvaccinated. Vanderhoff urges all Ohioans to get vaccinated against measles to protect you and your loved ones. Should Ohioans be concerned about measles? ODH reports they are working with the Ashtabula County Health Department to follow up on potential exposures and promote opportunities to get vaccinated. 'The fact that we now have a measles case in Ohio adds emphasis to the importance of being fully vaccinated,' Dr. Vanderhoff said. 'This disease can be very serious, but it is preventable. I strongly encourage you to protect yourselves and your children by getting vaccinated.' Ohio had 90 cases of measles in 2022 after an outbreak, but only one case in 2023 and seven reported in 2024. Measles outbreaks have occurred in several U.S. states this year, leading to state health departments to encourage all adults and children to receive the MMR vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective against measles. Learn more here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ohio sees first measles case in 2025. Where is it?
An Ohio resident has contracted the state's first measles case in 2025, the Ohio Department of Health announced Thursday. The Ashtabula County resident is unvaccinated and recently traveled outside the country, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff urged Ohioans to get vaccinated in a statement. What to know: How to find out if you got your measles vaccines "This disease can be very serious, but it is preventable. I strongly encourage you to protect yourselves and your children by getting vaccinated," Vanderhoff said. Ohio last saw a measles outbreak in 2022 when there were 90 cases, primarily in central Ohio. There were seven measles cases in 2024. Vanderhoff said earlier this week that Ohio's measles vaccination rates are declining amid a measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend children get two doses of the MMR vaccine to guard against measles, which the CDC said is 97% effective. Erin Glynn is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio sees first measles case this year in Ashtabula County
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
First measles case confirmed in Ohio for 2025
The Ohio Department of Health has announced the first measles case in Ohio for 2025. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The case is in an unvaccinated adult from Ashtabula County, according to ODH. The infected person had recently been in contact with someone who had travelled internationally, according to ODH. TRENDING STORIES: 'Kind of disappointed;' Local Dollar General closes its doors, more to close across the country Former daycare employee facing criminal charges after several infants suffer brain injuries Video shows officers respond to chaotic scene following lounge shooting The Department of Health and county officials are working to establish potential exposures, and to promote opportunities for vaccinations. 'The fact that we now have a measles case in Ohio adds emphasis to the importance of being fully vaccinated,' Dr. Vanderhoff said. 'This disease can be very serious, but it is preventable. I strongly encourage you to protect yourselves and your children by getting vaccinated.' In 2022, Ohio had 90 measles cases, 85 of which were in Central Ohio, according to ODH. In 2023 there was only one case, and seven in 2024, ODH says. Measles cases are increasing nationally, including outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico, ODH says. Measles is very contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing, ODH says. Nine out of 10 people who are not vaccinated and are exposed to the disease will become ill, according to ODH. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
First child in Ohio dies from flu during worst season in 15 years, health department says
Ohio has had its first pediatric flu death involving a child under 18, the state's Department of Health announced Friday amid the worst flu season the United States and the Buckeye State have seen in 15 years. The death, which occurred in Allen County in northwest Ohio, "reminds us that influenza, though common, is a serious health threat,' said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the department's director. Flu activity, which usually peaks between December and February, has been steadily increasing since early December and current flu activity is "very high," according to state data. More: School absences rise as worst flu season in a decade hits central Ohio 'We urge parents to protect their kids. It's not too late for parents and kids to get a flu vaccine. It may very well prevent you or your loved ones from getting seriously ill," Vanderhoff said in a news release. Since the start of the flu season, more than 9,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported in Ohio, according to the state health department. That's "well above" the five-year average for the state at this point in the season, though the department noted that there is usually between one and six pediatric deaths related to influenza per season. More: Everyone's sick this winter. What's up with flu, norovirus, RSV and COVID? Flu vaccines are readily available at most health care providers' offices, local health departments and retail pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS. The department also reminded Ohioans that washing your hands frequently, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or elbows are all ways to help prevent the spread of influenza. Samantha Hendrickson is The Dispatch's medical business and health care reporter. She can be reached at shendrickson@ This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Health department announces first child to die from flu in Ohio
