First measles case reported in Ohio, 2025
The Ohio Department of Health has reported the first measles case in the state for 2025. The case involves an unvaccinated adult from Ashtabula County. This person had recently been in contact with someone who traveled internationally. Health officials are now investigating potential exposures and promoting vaccinations. Dr. Vanderhoff stressed the importance of being fully vaccinated, as measles can be very serious but is preventable. In recent years, Ohio has seen fluctuating measles cases. In 2022, there were 90 cases, mostly in Central Ohio. For 2023 and 2024, there were only a few cases reported. Measles is currently spreading in various parts of the country, including outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. The disease is highly contagious, spreading through coughs and sneezes. Health experts say nine out of ten unvaccinated people exposed will get sick.