Ohio Measles Outbreak: Over 80 Kids Get Infected, Most Of Them Are Unvaccinated

The measles outbreak in Ohio has affected 81 children so far and the vast majority of them are unvaccinated.

Out of the 81 confirmed cases in Central Ohio, 76 did not receive the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to data from the City of Columbus. Three were partially vaccinated with just one dose, while two of them had an "unknown vaccination status."

The outbreak started back in November and all reported cases were in people younger than 18 years. Specifically, 22 patients were less than a year old, while 36 were one to two years old. Eighteen of the patients were three to five years of age, while the remaining five were somewhere between six and 17 years old.

No deaths were reported in connection with the infections but 29 children had to be hospitalized.

Measles is a "highly contagious virus" that spreads to others through coughing and sneezing, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, it is one of the "most contagious diseases."

"Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected," the agency noted.

The virus can survive in the airspace for up to two hours even after the infected person leaves the area.

Health authorities had previously released a list of possible exposure sites, which included a Dollar Tree store in Columbus.

In November, the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) warned about a decline in measles vaccination since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year alone, about 40 million children reportedly missed a measles vaccine dose, making them "dangerously susceptible to growing measles threat."

"This decline is a significant setback in global progress towards achieving and maintaining measles elimination and leaves millions of children susceptible to infection," the agencies said in a statement. "In 2021, there were an estimated 9 million cases and 128,000 deaths from measles worldwide."

There have been 117 measles cases reported in five jurisdictions as of Dec. 22. This number is higher than the 49 infections reported last year and the 13 cases from 2020, but still a far shot away from the 1,274 cases logged in 2019, which was said to be "the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1992."

The MMR vaccine is "safe and effective," noted the CDC. It is about 97% effective at preventing measles with two doses, and 93% effective with one dose.

The infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has shared a list of myths and facts about the measles vaccine.

"Plummeting measles vaccination rates should set off every alarm. Tens of millions of children are at risk of this deadly, yet entirely preventable disease until we get global vaccination efforts back on track," said Elizabeth Cousens, president and CEO of the United Nations Foundation. "There is no time to waste. We must work urgently to ensure life-saving vaccines reach every last child."