Knox Public Health (KPH) has confirmed two additional cases of measles in international travelers within Knox County. The individuals have been isolated and are under monitoring, according to a press release by the agency on March 31.
According to the news release,KPH has been collaborating with the affected individuals since initiating contact tracing, resulting in their quarantine. KPH reported that no further close contacts have been identified related to these two positive cases.
On March 24, 2025, a laboratory-confirmed case of measles was identified in an adult international traveler visiting Knox County. The individual has completed their isolation period and is no longer infectious.
The Ohio Department of Health is collaborating with Knox Public Health (KPH) to follow up on contacts and promote vaccination opportunities. KPH is working with the individual and their healthcare provider to identify contacts. They will notify these contacts and provide guidance on post-exposure prophylaxis and quarantine.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread even before symptoms appear. The virus can survive in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the room. Symptoms typically manifest 7 to 14 days after exposure but can take as long as 21 days.
Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, pink/red watery eyes, and a red/brown blotchy rash starting on the face and spreading to the trunk and extremities. These symptoms usually subside within 7 to 9 days. According to the Ohio Department of Health, about one in five people with measles require hospitalization, one in 1,000 may develop encephalitis leading to brain damage, and between one to three out of every 1,000 cases may result in death despite optimal care.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose should be administered between 12 and 15 months of age, followed by a second dose between ages 4 and 6. International travelers are advised to be fully vaccinated. Infants aged 6 to 11 months should receive one MMR dose prior to travel and two additional doses after their first birthday.
