Public health officials with Columbus and Franklin County said Friday that a person infected with measles visited a school and Target store in New Albany on Thursday, Sept. 25.
Health officials said measles remains infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has been at a location. The disease "is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes."
Symptoms can include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. A measles rash typically appears three-to-five days after a person experiences initial symptoms. Symptoms typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure.
Health officials are cautioning anyone who spent time at the following locations:
- the New Albany Early Learning Center, 5101 Swickard Woods Blvd., between 10:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 25
- the Target at Hamilton Quarter, 6030 N. Hamilton Road, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sept. 25
The New Albany-Plain Local School District has notified families and staff about the potential exposure at the school and shared public health guidance.
The public health notice states 90% of people who are exposed to measles will get it if they are not vaccinated.
"The virus is not live (in the measles vaccine), so we are unaware of individuals in general who can’t be vaccinated once they are old enough," said Kelli Newman, director of communications for the health district.
Newman said the MMR vaccine "is safe and highly effective," and that it is the "best way to prevent measles." One dose of MMR is 93% effective at preventing measles and two doses are 97% effective at preventing measles, according to health officials.
The health guidance states:
"Any individual who is not fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine and (was) at the school or store during these times only could have been exposed. Exposed individuals are encouraged to watch for symptoms of measles and to go to their health care provider if they are sick... If someone is sick and has symptoms, they should call their health care provider to let them know that they have potential measles exposure before going into the provider’s office."
There are currently three confirmed measles cases in central Ohio, "all in unvaccinated family members who traveled internationally," according to city health officials.
Columbus Public Health is working with Franklin County Public Health to identify any other potential exposures.
The notice continues:
"If your child is 12 months of age or older and has not been vaccinated with MMR, you should have them vaccinated right away. Columbus Public Health offers no appointment needed walk-in measles vaccines for anyone one year and older. To schedule an immunization appointment at Franklin County Public Health, visit https://myfcph.org/vaccines/. MMR vaccines also are available from health care providers.
For questions about measles, call Columbus Public Health at 614-645-1474 – Option 2 or Franklin County Public Health at 614-525-3719.
