Measles Cases Reported in Medina County

 Medina County Health Department is monitoring two cases of measles in the county and working to notify anyone who may have been exposed.

Health officials announced Friday that one case has been confirmed and another is considered probable. No additional information about the patients is being released due to privacy concerns.

The cases come as Ohio continues to see measles activity across the state. As of October 8, the Ohio Department of Health had reported 228 cases in 21 counties in 2026. According to the Medina County Health Department, most of those infected were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.

Measles is considered one of the most contagious infectious diseases. Health officials say about 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people who are exposed to the virus will become infected.

The virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can remain in the air for up to two hours after that person leaves the room. Someone with measles can also spread the virus before they realize they are sick.

Symptoms generally begin 7 to 14 days after exposure, although they can take as long as three weeks to appear. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash that typically develops several days after the other symptoms begin.

Measles can also cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, hospitalization and, in rare cases, death.

The health department says anyone who believes they may have measles should stay home, separate from others and call a doctor or hospital before seeking treatment so medical staff can take precautions before the patient arrives.

Officials say the MMR vaccine remains the best protection against measles, with two doses providing about 97% protection.

Updates from the Medina County Health Department will be posted on its Health Alerts page. Residents with questions can also contact the department at 330-723-9688, option 2.