MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – Health officials in north-central Ohio say a measles outbreak that began among Amish who had traveled to the Philippines now involves 21 cases confirmed over three counties.
The measles outbreak comes on the heels of an outbreak of mumps which had sickened 287 in Franklin and Delaware counties by Monday afternoon, according to Columbus Public Health. The agency 172 cases have been linked to The Ohio State University outbreak which began in January.
The state Department of Health reports the number of cases in Knox County has increased to 19. Nearby Richland and Wayne counties each have one confirmed case of the highly contagious respiratory illness.
Officials are urging vaccination to limit the Ohio outbreak. In Morrow County, adjacent to Knox County, health officials plan a free immunization clinic from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at Cardington-Lincoln Elementary School gymnasium, 121 Nichols Street. The clinic is for anyone born after 1957 who has never received the MMR vaccine or for anyone who still needs their second dose of MMR vaccine.
Officials say the outbreak began with unvaccinated travelers who visited the Philippines, which has had a measles epidemic.
Measles is caused by a virus. The symptoms include fevers, coughs, rashes and pink eye.