OHIO — The Knox Public Health department in Mount Vernon, Ohio, confirmed two more cases of measles in the county Monday, bringing Knox County's total cases to three.

What You Need To Know

  • These cases mark an outbreak in Knox County

  • Cases this year have already surpassed last year's total cases in Ohio

  • Officials are urging families to get their children vaccinated to prevent the spread

Knox Public Health said a laboratory confirmed the cases on March 29, which came from international travelers to the county. The department added the individuals are being isolated and monitored for symptoms. No close contacts have been identified as a result of the positive cases. 

These cases officially mark an outbreak in the county, as an outbreak is defined as three or more cases in an area, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

These two cases also mark 13 total confirmed by health officials as of Tuesday in the state so far this year. 

Just a week ago, the Ohio Department of Health identified a measles outbreak in Ashtabula County, in which 10 people were infected. That same day, health officials also confirmed Knox County's first case. 

These cases surpass last year's total in Ohio, which was 10 cases. In 2023, the state has one firmed case and in 2022, Ohio had the largest outbreak of the disease with 90 confirmed cases. 

As of late March, there have been more than 480 cases of measles confirmed in the United States reported by 20 states: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Washington.

Officials across the U.S. have been urging families to vaccinate children, as the disease can spread quickly. CDC data also shows that vaccination rates for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in Ohio is below the benchmark of 95% recommended by health officials, as they say 95% vaccination rates in a community can help develop herd immunity to a disease.

Over the last five years, vaccination among kindergarteners in Ohio has wavered around 89%. According to the CDC, the Buckeye State is also among states with the lowest vaccination rates. 

Measles is highly contagious and can spread easily when a person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Each case can lead to an additional 12 to 18 cases if people aren’t protected against the disease, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Signs and symptoms include:

  • Running nose
  • Cough
  • Red and watery eyes
  • Small white spots inside the cheeks

Death is usually caused by complications from the disease, including:

  • Blindness
  • Encephalitis (an infection causing brain swelling and potentially brain damage)
  • Severe diarrhea and related dehydration
  • Ear infections
  • Severe breathing problems including pneumonia

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