LISBON — Columbiana County has no confirmed or suspected cases of measles at this time, according to county Health District Health Services Administrator Amanda Amato.

Amato talked about measles in the news during the recent county health board meeting on Wednesday, noting 310 confirmed cases across 15 states.

On Thursday, Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., MBA announced the first measles case in Ohio.

The ODH press release said the case involved an infected adult from Ashtabula County who was unvaccinated and had contact with someone who recently traveled internationally. The state was working with the Ashtabula County Health Department to follow up on potential exposures and promote opportunities for vaccination.

ODH is working with the Ashtabula County Health Department to follow up on potential exposures and to promote opportunities for vaccination.

“The fact that we now have a measles case in Ohio adds emphasis to the importance of being fully vaccinated,” Dr. Vanderhoff said in the press release. “This disease can be very serious, but it is preventable. I strongly encourage you to protect yourselves and your children by getting vaccinated.”

Ohio had 90 cases of measles in 2022, when an outbreak centered in central Ohio totaled 85 cases. The state had one measles case in 2023 and seven in 2024. The disease is extremely contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing and can be carried back to the United States, and Ohio, by individuals who travel. If people are not protected against the disease, 9 out of 10 people who are exposed will become ill, the press release said.

During the county health district board meeting, Amato said the measles vaccine, known as MMR for protecting against measles, mumps and rubella, is 93 percent effective in protecting against measles. Two doses for children increases the protection to 97 percent.

The county health district has the vaccine available, along with many other vaccines. Just call the health district at 330-424-0272 to schedule an appointment.

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 born after 1957 who are not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

To learn more about measles, visit the ODH website at odh.ohio.gov under infectious diseases.

Amato said influenza cases appear to be starting to trend down from what the county health district had in February, which was 70 hospitalized cases. In January, the number was 35. According to the ODH website, the number for Columbiana County for the flu season so far starting Sept. 29, 2024 and continuing as of March 15, 2025, the total number of influenza hospitalizations in the county is 151.

In other business, county Health District Environmental Director Laura Fauss reminded residents that since spring has sprung, now is the time to be aware of ticks and to check clothing and body after being outside. Use products recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency for protection. She said Lyme disease can be prevented.

Health Commissioner Dr. Wes Vins said the district and its county partners are working on the priorities for the community health assessment, which he said they hope to have completed in May.

In other matters, the board chose a quote of $19,683 for a new Dell server provided by the district’s contracted IT company, ECMSI, Inc. The company had secured three quotes, with the other amounts totaling $22,475 and $24,132. The server will be purchased through a grant.

The board approved board orders against Michael Metzgar, state Route 9, Salem for an accumulation of solid waste and tires at a Carey Road, Salem property, specifically to remove items where stagnant water can accumulate. A variance was granted for Prestige Properties, St. Clair Avenue, East Liverpool, for continuing education hours for a septic installer who needs to get six for the previous year this year, in addition to the six he’ll need for this year.

The board also approved the 2026 budget estimates for each fund, with board member Linda Garwood asking if there’s a master list that shows how much total will be spent for utilities or insurance for the year. She said she didn’t want to add to the work for Fiscal Officer Karen Clark, but wondered if there was a way to see totals. The health departments uses several different funds which can’t be mixed.

“We’ll see what we can do,” Vins said.

The board kicked off the meeting by reorganizing, with Gary Dailey reappointed as president and Dr. Kimberly Jackson reappointed as Vice President. Meetings will remain the third Wednesday of the month at 4:30 p.m., with the exception being the June meeting, which will be moved up a week to June 11.

The next meeting will be 4:30 p.m. April 16 at the headquarters on state Route 45, Lisbon.