Columbus Public Health is reporting that six children under the age of 5 have measles in Franklin County.
Columbus Public Health Director Dr. Mysheika Roberts told WOSU on Wednesday that five of the children are in two separate households, while the sixth child is in a third home.
The sixth child has traveled internationally while the other children haven't, and that child's case is not related to the others.
Five of the children were unvaccinated. One child has had one dose of the MMR vaccine that protects against mumps, measles and rubella.
Wednesday afternoon, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said travelers at John Glenn Columbus International Airport may have been exposed to measles between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Feb. 18.
In a statement, the state health department said that those who are vaccinated have a very low risk of getting sick.
Those at the airport at that time who are not vaccinated should watch for any signs and symptoms from now through March 11.
Dr. Roberts said health officials are trying to determine who the children have been in contact with.
"We are continuing to look at contacts to these six individuals to see if there are individuals that we need to either treat or we need to monitor for 21 days to make sure they do not develop measles," Dr. Roberts said.
In Ohio, a measles outbreak is defined as three or more confirmed cases.
Dr. Roberts said the first child started experiencing symptoms in early February.
She said the school-age children did not go to school while they were infectious.
Dr. Roberts also said health officials are continuing to investigate the cases.
"So from a public health standpoint I'm always concerned when we have a measles case, especially knowing we have a very safe and effective vaccine. I think the threat and the concern for the general public at this point in time is low," Dr. Roberts said.
She said this still is a good time for families to make sure their children are all up to date on their vaccines.
