Information below is from the Columbus Public Health/Franklin County Public Health Measles Advisory dated Dec. 1, 2022

Columbus and Franklin County are experiencing a large measles outbreak, the first in our community in 20 years. The 46 cases in central Ohio account for the majority of all measles currently in the United States.

Most recent measles cases have occurred in unvaccinated children and adolescents who were old enough to have received the very safe and highly effective measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Clinicians are urged to consider measles in the differential diagnosis of febrile rash illness, especially in those who have not been immunized with MMR vaccine. All unvaccinated people born during or after 1957 are potentially susceptible to measles, which is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases. People with measles are infectious for four days before until four days after rash onset.

Health care providers are urged to immediately implement the following measles outbreak control interventions to prevent further transmission in our community.

• Immunize children at 12 months of age with the first dose of MMR. While the first dose is typically recommended at 12-15 months of age, during an outbreak it is vital to protect children as soon as they are eligible to be vaccinated.
• Immunize children 1-4 years of age with the second dose of MMR as soon as possible, but at least 28 days after the first dose of MMR. While the second dose is typically recommended at 4-6 years of age, this early second dose is highly recommended to provide additional protection during the current outbreak in which the majority of cases are among preschool age children.
• Immunize children 6-11 months of age who are known contacts to another measles case with an early dose of MMR. Infants who receive an early dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should receive two more doses according to the recommended schedule.
• Send health recall notifications to all patients not yet vaccinated with MMR, as well as those who are now due or behind according to the recommended immunization schedules for children, adolescents and adults https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/index.html.

Please continue to focus on all unvaccinated patients who will travel internationally and ensure they are fully vaccinated at least two weeks before international travel, including early vaccination of infants 6-11 months of age as detailed at https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/index.html#vaccination.

Health care providers who suspect measles should immediately isolate the patient in an airborne infection isolation room and promptly report to the Infectious Disease Reporting System at 614-525-8888. All health care staff entering the room of a suspected or confirmed measles patient should use respiratory protection consistent with airborne infection control precautions (use of an N95 respirator or equivalent), regardless of presumptive immunity status as outlined here: https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/measles/index.html. Health care facilities should develop a measles triage and isolation plan, as well as detailed health care provider clinical guidance.