Columbus, OH – A fifth case of measles has โคbeen reported in central ohio, Franklin County Public Health announced โคWednesday. The case, identified in an unvaccinatedโข child, follows a recent international trip and is โขunrelated to a smaller outbreak earlier this year in New Albany.
Health officials are working to identify any potential exposures, though currently, no public risk is believed to exist beyond โขa healthcare setting. This latest case comes as the United States โexperiences its highest measles case count as 1992, with nearly 1,600 cases reported in 42 states as of late September, according toโ the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ohio previously declared an end toโค a separate measlesโข outbreak in June.
Measles is a highly โขcontagious disease characterizedโ by fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. It can lead to serious complications, including brain swelling and neurological damage. The virus spreads throughโ the air when โan infected person coughs or sneezes,โ and 90% ofโข unvaccinated individuals exposed to measles will become infected.
Vaccination is aโข safe and โคeffective way to prevent measles.