Ohio’s third measles outbreak of 2026 is growing, with cases more than doubling amid new reports from two counties.
Geauga County is reporting five new cases related to the ongoing measles outbreak, defined as three or more related cases, Geauga Public Health announced on Aug. 4. And the Tuscarawas County Health Department reports another two cases as of Aug. 4, and is awaiting laboratory confirmation on more.
Previously, the Ohio Department of Health reported four infected individuals — three in Ashtabula County and one in Tuscarawas County — ranging in age from 4 to 30. This brings the total number of cases in the current outbreak to 11.
The six cases in Ashtabula and Tuscarawas were among unvaccinated individuals, ODH and the county health department report. The Geauga health department did not list the vaccination status of its five cases.
“It’s unfortunate that these outbreaks have become more common in Ohio over the past few years, because this disease is preventable,” Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, ODH director, said a July 30 statement. “This serves to emphasize the importance of being fully vaccinated. I strongly encourage you to protect yourselves and your children by getting vaccinated.”
Nationwide, measles cases nationwide hit a 35-year high for a disease once declared eradicated in the United States. Data released July 22 by the Johns Hopkins University shows 2,295 measles cases have been reported nationwide so far this year, surpassing the 2,286 infections recorded during all of 2025 and marking the highest annual total since 1991, USA TODAY reports.
Geauga County measles outbreak may have spread at a horse sale
Geauga Public Health reports that the individuals with measles visited several locations while able to spread the virus, including Bloomfield Horse Sale, 2211 Kinsman Road NW, on July 18. The health department is working with the individuals and their healthcare providers to identify others who may have been exposed, who will be notified by their local health department and provided guidance on quarantining.
ODH is working with Geauga Public Health to follow up on potential exposures and promote opportunities for vaccination.
The Tuscarawas health department reports that one if its new cases was exposed to measles at the Bloomfield Livestock Auction, at the same address as Bloomfield Horse Sale, on July 18. The other was exposed during a previously identified measles exposure event at Smokey Lane Stables, 686 Smokey Lane Road NW in Sugarcreek, on July 17. Tuscarawas County cases range in age from 15 months to 19 years.
Measles cases in Ohio growing
According to the ODH Summary of Infectious Diseases dashboard’s last update on July 31, the state was reporting 15 total measles cases and two previous outbreaks – three cases in Cuyahoga County in January and seven cases in Franklin County in February. That total does not include the Geauga cases or any others that may have been reported.
Measles cases have been growing in Ohio over the past several years, with 45 in 2025, seven cases in 2024 and one case in 2023.
Measles cases hit 35-year high in United States
The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000 after recording just 86 cases that year, according to USA TODAY, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But a series of outbreaks that began in early 2025, centered initially in Gaines County, Texas, has helped drive the virus’ resurgence.
Health experts say the recent surge has been fueled by declining vaccination rates that have left more communities vulnerable to outbreaks.
Why are measles cases on the rise? Ohio vaccination rates
Vaccination for measles has declined in recent years, resulting in a growing number of states no longer reporting rates consistent with herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated. Most people are then protected, even if they cannot get the vaccine themselves, because those around them are immune and cannot spread the disease.
Vaccination coverage among U.S. kindergartners decreased from 95.2% during the 2019–20 school year to 92.5% in the 2024–25 school year, well under the threshold necessary for effective herd immunity, according to the CDC.
Declining protections have also been attributed to the growing anti-vaccine movement, which was bolstered by the confirmation of vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary. In addition to making anti-vaccine comments, Kennedy also downplayed pediatric deaths related to measles and touted false cures and preventives, such as the use of vitamin A. During the height of the Texas outbreak, Kennedy encouraged inoculation against measles, pulling back from his previous anti-vaccine messaging. Kennedy is now encouraging the measles vaccine ahead of back-to-school season.
In Ohio, MMR vaccine — which protects against measles, mumps and rubella — coverage rate for children and adolescents was 91.5% for 2023, the most recent year available from ODH. Previous years ranged from an 80% to 90% immunization rate:
Can you get measles if vaccinated?
Two doses of MMR are 97% effective against measles, ODH reports. If you are up to date on measles vaccine, the risk of getting sick is very low.
Are measles deadly?
Measles can be deadly. ODH states that complications from measles are more common among children younger than 5 years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. As many as one out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
What does measles look like? Signs, symptoms
Symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after exposure, but can take up to 21 days. Symptoms include a rash, high fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite and red, watery eyes. The rash usually lasts five to six days and begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck, and proceeds down the body. Diarrhea and ear infections are common complications of measles. More severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, may also occur.
The measles virus can live for up to two hours in air where an infected person coughed or sneezed. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch an infected surface and then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. People infected with measles can spread it to others from four days before, through four days after, a rash appears.
Are measles itchy?
Not usually, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
How to protect yourself against measles
Both ODH and the CDC say the best way to protect yourself against measles is to be vaccinated.
USA TODAY reporters James Powel and Mary Walrath-Holdridge contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio’s latest measles outbreak doubles with new cases
Reporting by Chad Murphy, James Powel and Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY NETWORK / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chad Murphy, James Powel and Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
