Ohio is reporting its third measles outbreak of the year, after three infected people were found in Ashtabula County and one in Tuscarawas County.
Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff said in a news release July 30 that all four people were unvaccinated, and the age range is from 4 to 30 years.
An outbreak is defined by three or more related cases.
The Ohio Department of Health reported two of the Ashtabula County cases in its infectious diseases dashboard last week.
The Tuscarawas County Health Department said the local resident is recovering at home, according to a July 30 news release.
The case is likely associated with a previously announced measles exposure at Smokey Lane Stables in Sugarcreek on July 17, the release said.
The Ashtabula County Health Department noted three sites where people may have been exposed to measles: at the Sugarcreek horse stable, at a horse sale in Bloomfield on July 18 and at the emergency department at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights on the afternoon of July 18.
ODH is working with the local health departments to follow up on potential exposures and to promote opportunities for vaccination, Vanderhoff said.
The state department reported an outbreak in Cuyahoga County in January and in Franklin County in February. ODH has now reported 15 measles cases in 2026. The state had 45 cases in 2025, seven cases in 2024 and one case in 2023.
“It’s unfortunate that these outbreaks have become more common in Ohio over the past few years, because this disease is preventable,” Vanderhoff said in the news release. “This serves to emphasize the importance of being fully vaccinated. I strongly encourage you to protect yourselves and your children by getting vaccinated.”
Measles is extremely contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. The measles vaccine (called MMR as it protects against measles, mumps, and rubella) is safe and effective, Vanderhoff said. Two doses of MMR is 97% effective against measles.
Measles symptoms include a rash, high fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite and red, watery eyes. The rash usually lasts five to six days. Diarrhea and ear infections are common complications of measles. More severe complications, such as pneumonia, may also occur.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio confirms measles outbreak in Northeast Ohio
Reporting by Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
