COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio health officials are notifying travelers and others that they may have been exposed to measles at John Glenn International Airport on Feb. 18, the Ohio Department of Health said, as the state reports a rise in cases this month in Franklin County.
The department said the potential exposure occurred between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the airport. People who were there during that time and are vaccinated have a very low risk of becoming ill, the agency said, noting that two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
Unvaccinated people who were at the airport during the exposure window should watch for symptoms through March 11, health officials said. Anyone who develops symptoms should stay home, avoid contact with others and call a health care provider before seeking care so steps can be taken to prevent additional exposure, the department said.
The Ohio Department of Health said it is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health agencies to identify potentially exposed individuals, including notifying passengers on specific flights.
Since the start of February, six measles cases have been identified in Franklin County, all in children, the department said. Five cases are linked to an outbreak involving two households, while a sixth case — associated with the airport exposure — involved international travel and was not connected to the outbreak.
Health officials said five of the six children were unvaccinated and one had received a single dose of MMR.
The department said Ohio has reported nine measles cases so far in 2026, after recording 45 cases in 2025.
Be the first to comment