Updated
Updated · News 5 Cleveland WEWS · Jul 23
Ashtabula County Confirms 2 Measles Cases, Flags 3 Ohio Exposure Sites
Updated
Updated · News 5 Cleveland WEWS · Jul 23

Ashtabula County Confirms 2 Measles Cases, Flags 3 Ohio Exposure Sites

3 articles · Updated · News 5 Cleveland WEWS · Jul 23

Summary

  • Two measles cases were confirmed in Ashtabula County, and health officials said anyone at three listed Ohio locations could have been exposed while the infected people were contagious.
  • July 17-18 exposure sites include Sugarcreek Stockyard, Bloomfield Livestock Auction and Hillcrest Hospital’s adult emergency department, with risk extending through the visit and 2 hours afterward.
  • July 24 to Aug. 19 is the likely symptom window for people who are not immune, while those with weakened immune systems may take longer to show signs.
  • 9 out of 10 unprotected people exposed to measles can become ill, the Ohio Department of Health said, while two MMR doses are 97% effective and officials are promoting vaccination.

Insights

As US measles cases reach a 35-year high, is our collective immunity against preventable diseases now collapsing?
With vaccination rates below the safety threshold, how can communities protect their most vulnerable from this airborne threat?