Measles outbreak in Columbus increases to 46 cases, 3 sites exposed

The number of cases in a measles outbreak in Columbus has nearly doubled over the past two weeks, with exposures being reported in three places across the city, according to public health officials.

There were 46 cases in Greater Columbus as of Wednesday, according to the Columbus Public Health dashboard, up from the 24 cases reported earlier this month.

Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts said during a news conference Wednesday that the cases are spread out in three public health jurisdictions — Columbus Public Health, Franklin County Public Health and Ross County Health District.

Previous reporting on measles outbreak: Columbus measles outbreak swells to 24 cases as 9 kids are hospitalized

"The message is clear: If you have a child who is 12 months of age and older and has not received their MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, please make every effort you can do to get them vaccinated this week," she said.

Three Columbus locations exposed to measles

Columbus Public Health recently discovered that some of the infectious people were out in public places, Roberts said.

Those locations are:

• Meijer, 6175 Sawmill Road, where the time and date of exposure were 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 19.

• Jesus Power Assembly of God, 5215 Cleveland Ave., where the time and date of exposure were 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Nov. 20.

• Macy's and JCPenney stores inside Polaris Fashion Place, 1500 Polaris Parkway, where the time and date of exposure were 6:30-10:30 p.m. Friday.

"If you were at any of those locations on those dates and those times only and you are unvaccinated, we urge you to watch for signs and symptoms," Roberts said.

A look back: Franklin County toddler is Ohio's first measles case in state since 2019

All 46 children were unvaccinated for the measles, with 19 hospitalized for the illness. Fifty-four percent of infections have occurred in children between the ages of 1 and 2, and 17% of cases occurred in children between the ages of 3 and 5. Eighteen of those cases occurred at schools and day cares.

Roberts said about 25% of the population in the area is unvaccinated.

The agency is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Nationwide Children's Hospital to conduct contract tracing and case investigations to notify people who have been exposed to measles, she said.

Measles symptoms, signs to watch out for

Although preventable through vaccination, the measles is considered a dangerous and sometimes deadly disease.

About one in five people in the U.S. who get measles will be hospitalized, according to the CDC. About one in 1,000 people who contract the measles could develop brain swelling, which could lead to serious brain damage, according to the agency.

Previous reporting on measles outbreak: Measles outbreak reported at Columbus-area child care facility

The disease is also highly contagious as around 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected, according to Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health. Symptoms of the measles include fever, cough, rash, runny nose and red or watery eyes.

The infection can be severe, particularly in young children, who are more likely to be hospitalized due to dehydration and other complications, said Dr. Matt Washam, an infectious diseases doctor at Nationwide Children's. And because the virus is airborne, it can stay in a room for up to two hours, he said.

"We have a fantastic, safe and effective vaccine against this virus," he said.

Columbus Public Health urges Ohioans to vaccinate children against measles

Health officials have encouraged parents with children who are not vaccinated against the measles to get a shot. The health department offers the shot for measles, mumps and rubella.

Vaccines: Looking for a COVID or flu shot before your holiday gathering? Here's how to find one now

"No matter what your age, if you're an adult not vaccinated, take the MMR vaccine. If you're a child and eligible to get vaccinated, get the MMR," Roberts said.

mwalker@dispatch.com

@micah_walker701

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Measles outbreak in Columbus, Ohio increases to 46 cases