A Portage County resident has tested positive for measles, health officials said Tuesday, marking the county's first case in what has become a nationwide resurgence of a disease declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
The Portage County Health District is working with the Ohio Department of Health to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed. So far, no public exposure locations have been identified, though the district said it would release additional information if any are found.
“The confirmed case involves an individual who was not vaccinated against measles. Measles is a highly contagious disease, but it is also preventable through vaccination,” said Becky Lehman, Health Commissioner for the Portage County Health District, in a statement. “Vaccination remains the best protection against measles. We encourage residents to review their vaccination records and contact their healthcare provider if they are unsure whether they are protected against measles.”
Anyone who hasn't had the MMR vaccine can contact the Portage County Health District at 330-296-9919 ext. 135 to schedule an appointment.
Measles is a viral disease spread by coughing and sneezing. Infected people can start spreading it several days before they realize they have it. When symptoms do appear, they come in the form of fever, cough and runny nose, followed by the appearance of small white spots in the mouth and red spots across the body.
It's especially dangerous for babies and children, with up to three in 1,000 infected children dying from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 20% of unvaccinated people are hospitalized.
Not everyone can get the MMR vaccine because it contains a live, weakened virus, including pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems. Widespread vaccination typically protects them. The Portage County Health District did not specify why the person with measles was not vaccinated.
Until the measles vaccine became prevalent in the 1990s, between 400 and 500 people died of the disease every year in the United States. By 2000, it had virtually vanished — until recently.
This summer measles has spread across the US among unvaccinated people, with recent cases appearing in Northeast Ohio. There were 120 cases reported in Ohio as of last week.
"At this time, PCHD has not identified any public exposure locations associated with this case," the health district reported. "PCHD is continuing its investigation and will provide additional information if public exposure locations are identified."
Local officials said that if you think you have the measles, don't go straight to a healthcare facility. Instead, call ahead so the staff can take precautions to protect other patients.
"The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against measles. Two doses of MMR vaccine provide the best protection against the disease," the health district said.