As the measles outbreak continues to spread throughout Ohio, Richland Public Health has joined forces with health departments in surrounding counties to combat the virus, with assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
The measles outbreak has overburdened the counties affected, encouraging them to band together to form the North Central Ohio Measles Unified Command to better address the spread of the virus. Representatives from Richland, Ashland, Knox, Wayne, Coshocton, and Holmes counties hold daily conference calls in an effort to increase situational awareness.
Additionally, Stark and Highland counties have been invited to join forces with the group as both counties now have confirmed cases, said Reed Richmond, Health Educator and Communications Specialist with Richland Public Health.
As of 3 p.m. Monday, ODH reported a total of 319 confirmed cases of measles in eight counties. Confirmed cases by county include: Ashland, 44; Coshocton, 22; Highland, 1; Holmes, 40; Knox, 186; Richland, 18; Stark, 6; and Wayne, 1. A total of seven hospitalizations have been reported. The victims range in age from under six months to 53 years.
According to a release issued by Richland Public Health, the CDC has provided personnel to visit communities to identify infected individuals and gather contact information. Additionally, the ODH has supplied much needed vaccine and personnel to assist with clinics as well as data input.
Richmond noted that 66 clinics have been completed with more than 9,000 Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine (MMR) doses given. There are 10 clinics in the six-county North Central Ohio Measles Unified Command scheduled for next week including two in Richland County: July 18 from 9-11:30 in Shiloh and from 1:30 -3 p.m. in Plymouth.
If the vaccine is given before exposure to the measles virus, noted Richland Public Health in a release dated June 10, those MMR doses will prevent the measles.
The outbreak, which began in late March via unvaccinated travelers who became infected while visiting the Philippines, originally infected mainly the Amish population in the Knox county area. However, counties in Ohio are now seeing outbreaks in the non-Amish population.
“The measles virus is highly contagious and spreads so easily that people who are not immune will probably get it when they come close to someone who is infected,” Martin Tremmel, Health Commissioner for Richland Public Health, said. “Measles is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing. The droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air can remain ‘alive and active’ on inanimate objects for up to two hours.”
The early symptoms of measles are similar to those of allergies: fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and sore throat. The rash may take a few days to appear. The virus is contagious from four days before the onset of the rash to four days after.
“Since the early symptoms represent other illnesses common at this time of the year, like allergies, it’s very possible that someone who has the measles virus, but does not know it, will pass it on to someone else” Tremmel said. “That’s why it’s important to make sure you and family members are immunized.”
With summer travel well under way, the ODH is stressing the importance of vaccinations. “The ongoing measles outbreak as well as the mumps outbreak in central Ohio is a reminder to all Ohioans that they should be up-to-date on immunizations,” Tremmel said.
Richland County’s MMR vaccination clinics may be found at the website or by calling 419-774-4540. For other counties, please call your local health department.
This article was updated on June 17 with a new total number of measles cases and new county-by-county numbers.
