Due to multiple measles outbreaks in Northeast Ohio in recent months, the Salem City Health District is reminding residents of the importance of ensuring that both themselves and their children have been vaccinated against measles. The health department carries both the MMR and MMRV vaccine which protect against measles, mumps, and rubella, with the MMRV vaccine also protecting again varicella, more commonly known as chickenpox. Shown from left are Health Commissioner Kayla Crowl and Director of Nursing Chelsea Clark. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

SALEM — With recent measles outbreaks in Ohio, the Salem City Health District is reminding Salem residents the importance of vaccination against the infection.

As vaccination rates across Ohio continue to decline annually, measles has begun to make a comeback in northeast Ohio in 2025 with recent outbreaks in Ashtabula County in March, Knox County in April, and the first case confirmed in Cuyahoga County Thursday. While there have been no cases reported in Salem or Columbiana County at this time, Salem City Health District Director of Nursing Chelsea Clark said that it is far better to prevent measles than to attempt to treat it. The best way to do so is through vaccination. According to the Ohio Department of Health the MMR and MMRV vaccine are 97% effective against measles after two doses, and the risk of becoming ill for vaccinated people is very low. In addition to protecting against measles the MMR and MMRV vaccines both provide protection from mumps and rubella, and the MMRV vaccine also protects against varicella, which is more commonly known as chickenpox.

Measles is highly infectious, with 90% of non-immune people exposed to the virus becoming infected. Those who have contracted measles can spread it for up to four days before and after the onset of symptoms and even longer if immunocompromised, meaning that they can begin spreading the virus to others before knowing they are sick. As a respiratory virus measles is primarily spread through coughing and sneezing, and people who touch an infected service and touch their eyes nose and mouth may be infected as well.

“The virus can live in an air space for up to two hours so it’s very contagious,” said Clark.

Symptoms of measles typically last seven to 14 days and include high fever, coughing, congestion, loss of appetite, red watery eyes, Koplik spots (tiny white or bluish spots on the inside of the cheek), and a distinctive rash which begins at the forehead and spreads down the body to the feet. Clark said that there is no specialized treatment for measles, with treatment for an infected person limited to mitigating their symptoms.

“It’s a very distinct rash. It doesn’t look like other common viral rashes,” said Clark.

Contracting measles can also cause several additional complications with common complications including ear infections and diarrhea. More severe complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis –which can require hospitalization and in severe cases be fatal and can cause premature birth and underweight babies if contracted while pregnant. Clark said that one in five unvaccinated people who contract measles in the United States require hospitalization.One in twenty kids who contract measles develops pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death in children with measles. Children younger than five years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant woman, and people with compromised immune systems like people with leukemia or HIV are at a higher risk for severe complications.

Anyone who believes they may have contracted or been exposed to measles should contact their health care provider or the health department immediately for further information and directions, and so the appropriate steps can be taken to minimize transmission. Someone who has contracted measles must isolate for four days from the onset of the rash.

Clark said that most children receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine when they are one year old and receive the second dose when aged four to six, and should be fully vaccinated before kindergarten, noting that measles vaccination is required by public schools. Anyone who did not receive their measles vaccine as a child should ensure they get vaccinated. Anyone who was vaccinated before 1968 with the non-live vaccine which was available from 1963 through 1967 should get re-vaccinated. Women should not receive the vaccine while pregnant, and people born in the United State before 1957, prior to the development of the measles vaccine, are likely immune from exposure. Clark also said that anyone traveling outside the country should discuss the risks of contracting measles or other illnesses while travelling.

“If you are unsure if you were vaccinated, first you should look to see if you can find documentation of your vaccination history, but if you can’t, you can get again. The MMR vaccine is completely safe, and you can get an additional dose if you’ve already had one without issues,” said Clark.

The health department offers both the MMR and MMRV vaccines and the staffer urges thoseyet to receive vaccinesto call the department at 330-332-1618 to schedule an appointment.