Butler County health officials have confirmed a case of measles in a child under the age of one who acquired the virus during international travel. The child returned to the United States through a Chicago-area airport before traveling to Ohio by car. The health district has not released any additional information about the individual affected.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and rash. There is no specific treatment for measles, and the best way to prevent it is through immunization.
Unvaccinated individuals over the age of one are generally recommended to receive a measles vaccination to protect themselves and others around them. Children should receive their first dose of the measles vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and another dose at 4-6 years old. Those who are unsure about their vaccination status or are experiencing symptoms of measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
The measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine is usually given at 12 months old in the US, but may be recommended for younger children traveling outside the country or in case of an outbreak. The Butler County General Health District can be reached at 513-863-1770 for questions and vaccination appointments. More information about measles can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/measles .
