DEFIANCE COUNTY CONFIRMED ONE CASE OF MEASLES
DEFIANCE, OH – The Defiance County Health Department (DCHD) has confirmed one case of measles in a Defiance County resident. This is an isolated case of an adult with an unknown vaccination status with minimal exposure to others. This patient has recovered and no other identifying information about the patient will be released, due to state and federal privacy concerns.
Our public health team is working closely with the patient and the Ohio Department of Health to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed. Those individuals will receive guidance on what steps to take next, such as monitoring for symptoms or staying home if needed.
While most people who have had two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine are well protected, we encourage everyone to double-check their vaccination status as this provides the best
protection against the virus that causes measles. One dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against
measles, and two doses are 97% effective against measles. Measles is a serious and very contagious illness that spreads easily through the air when someone coughs or sneezes—even before symptoms begin. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.
What to Look For
Measles symptoms typically begin 7–14 days after exposure and can take as long as 21 days for symptoms to appear. Symptoms of measles can include:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- A rash that usually appears 3–5 days after the other symptoms
Measles can be serious, as about 1 in 5 people who get measles will be hospitalized with complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, or brain swelling. Children younger than 5 years of age, adults older
than 20 years of age, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women are at risk for developing measles complications.
How to Protect Yourself
The best protection is the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. It’s safe, effective, and has been used for decades with hundreds of millions of doses given. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:
- Children should receive their first MMR dose between 12 and 15 months and a second dose between 4 and 6 years.
- Adults who are unsure of their vaccination status should talk with their healthcare provider.
- Anyone traveling internationally should be fully vaccinated. Infants 6-11 months old should get 1 dose of MMR vaccine before travel. They should get 2 more doses after their first birthday.
If you think you may have measles symptoms or were exposed, please call your healthcare provider before going in. This helps protect others in waiting rooms and clinics.
If you need help checking your vaccination record or have additional questions, please contact the Defiance County Health Department at (419) 784-3818.
For more information, visit www.defiancecohealth.org or the CDC measles webpage at www.cdc.gov/measles.