Richland Public Health has announced that Richland County has one confirmed and three suspected measles cases.
Measles is an acute, highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is easily spread. Symptoms of the measles usually appear in 7-18 days after exposure. The disease is highly contagious and can be transmitted from four days prior to the onset of the rash to four days after the onset.
Immunizations for adults and children are available by appointment through the Richland Public Health Clinic 419-774-4700. The clinic has a good supply of the MMR (Measels, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.
Richland Public Health has Neighborhood Immunization Clinics with the MMR vaccine throughout Richland County. Please call the Immunization Hotline for dates, times, and locations 419-774-8115. The schedule is also available online at www.richlandhealth.org (type “immunizations” in the search box).
Additional information about measles and possible future Measles Vaccine Clinics will be available on the Measles Hotline by calling 419-774-4553.
Generally, if you were born before 1957 you are considered immune. “Adults born in 1957 or later should contact their medical provider and get vaccinated to protect themselves from this highly contagious virus,” said Martin Tremmel, Health Commissioner at Richland Public Health. “Parents should review their children’s vaccination records to assure that they are up-to-date on their MMR vaccines,” Tremmel added.
ODH and its local public health partners support the vaccine recommendations set forth by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and CDC. These recommendations include vaccination schedules for when individuals (children and adults) should receive their vaccinations. To access the current CDC recommended immunization schedules, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/index.html.
The CDC also recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Richland Public Health has an International Travel Immunization program available by appointment through the Clinic 419-774-4700.
For more information about measles, visit the ODH website at http://www.odh.ohio.gov/.