COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, is reporting the state’s third measles outbreak of 2026. The outbreak, which is defined by three or more related cases, includes four infected individuals: three in Ashtabula County and one in Tuscarawas County.
All four individuals were unvaccinated, and the age range is from 4 to 30 years. ODH reported two of the Ashtabula County cases on its Summary of Infectious Diseases in Ohio dashboard last week.
ODH is working with the health departments in the area to follow up on potential exposures and to promote opportunities for vaccination.
The department reported an outbreak in Cuyahoga County in January and in Franklin County in February. ODH has now reported 15 measles cases in 2026. The state had 45 cases in 2025, seven cases in 2024 and one case in 2023.
“It’s unfortunate that these outbreaks have become more common in Ohio over the past few years, because this disease is preventable,” Dr. Vanderhoff said. “This serves to emphasize the importance of being fully vaccinated. I strongly encourage you to protect yourselves and your children by getting vaccinated.”
Measles is extremely contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. The measles vaccine (called MMR as it protects against measles, mumps, and rubella) is very safe and effective at preventing measles. Two doses of MMR is 97% effective against measles. If you are up to date on measles vaccine, the risk of getting sick is very low.
The measles virus can live for up to two hours in air where an infected person coughed or sneezed. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch an infected surface and then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. People infected with measles can spread it to others from four days before, through four days after, a rash appears.
Measles symptoms include a rash, high fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite and red, watery eyes. The rash usually lasts five to six days and begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck, and proceeds down the body. Diarrhea and ear infections are common complications of measles. More severe complications may also occur.
Complications from measles are more common among children younger than 5 years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. As many as one out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. MMR vaccine can also be given to adults who are not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
Measles can be brought back to Ohio by individuals who travel internally and within the United States to areas with ongoing measles outbreaks. If people are not protected against the disease, 9 out of 10 people who are exposed will become ill.
More information about measles is available on the CDC website, including general information and the recommended immunization schedule. ODH also has a measles FAQ page.
