Ohio reports suspected measles outbreak, additional vaccine clinics opened
The Buckeye State, particularly Central Ohio, is not only battling a mumps outbreak, which as of Thursday totaled 273 cases, now health officials are reporting a suspected measles outbreak in Knox County in Central Ohio.
According to Knox County health officials, they awaiting confirmatory laboratory results 13 suspected measles cases. It is attributed to unvaccinated travelers who recently returned from a humanitarian trip to the Philippines.
Measles rash
Image/CDC
“Only four of the affected individuals were on the trip; the others who became infected were family contacts,” said Jackie Fletcher, RN director of nursing at the Knox County Health Department. The infected individuals range from two to 48 years of age.
Test results are expected today. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page.
During the first three months of 2014, the Philippines have recorded 21,336 confirmed and suspected cases and 69 fatalities.
This has prompted the opening of several additional vaccination clinics in an effort to prevent the spread of measles. These sites include Holmes County General Health District will offer a free vaccination clinic for the public on Friday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Holmesville Church of Christ, 204 W. Main Street, Holmesville, Ohio.
The Knox County Health Department will open a free clinic on Friday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Luke’s Community Center, 7 W. Rambo St., Danville, Ohio.
Ashland County-City Health Department has their next scheduled Walk-In Clinic Monday, April 28, 2014 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 1763 State Route 60.
“Immunization is the most effective way to protect yourself and your family from vaccine-preventable diseases,” said ODH Interim Director Lance Himes. “When fully vaccinated, the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97 percent effective in preventing the measles.”
Measles or rubeola, is an acute highly communicable viral disease that is characterized by Koplik spots in the cheek or tongue very early in the disease. A couple of days later a red blotchy rash appears first on the face, and then spreads, lasting 4-7 days. Othersymptoms include fever, cough and red watery eyes. The patient may be contagious from four days prior to the rash appearance to four days after rash appearance.
The disease is more severe in infants and adults. Complications from measles which is reported in up to 20% of people infected include; seizures, pneumonia, deafness and encephalitis.
[…] a follow up to a story earlier today about a possible measles outbreak in Central Ohio, health officials from the Ohio Department of […]
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[…] 16 confirmed cases of measles in the Knox County area.CDC warns of rise in measles casesWGRZ-TVOhio reports suspected measles outbreak, additional vaccine clinics openedThe Global DispatchCDC: Child Vaccine Program Prevented 731K Deaths, Saved $ 1.7TCalifornia […]
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[…] The Global DispatchOhio reports suspected measles outbreak, additional vaccine clinics openedThe Global DispatchThe Buckeye State, particularly Central Ohio, is not only battling a mumps outbreak, which as of Thursday totaled 273 cases, now health officials are reporting a suspected measles outbreak in Knox County in Central Ohio. According to Knox County health …CDC: Child Vaccine Program Prevented 731K Deaths, Saved $1.7TCalifornia HealthlineKnox County measles outbreak investigatedMansfield News Journal”Big Government” Vaccine Program Has Saved 700000 Livesio9Counsel & Heal -CNN -Fox Newsall 270 news articles …Read Full Story […]