The measles outbreak continues across the country with Ohio becoming the latest state with a confirmed case of the disease.
Ohio State Epidemiologist Sietske de Fijter said Friday that a new case has been confirmed in Stark County. People who are unvaccinated are at risk, she says.
Measles is extremely contagious said de Fijter. “Over 90 percent of individuals who are unprotected are unvaccinated, and who get exposed to the measles virus will come down with the disease.”
She said vaccination is the best form of prevention.
“Measles is a vaccine preventable disease. So we want to encourage everyone to check with their health care provider that they are current on the vaccinations, and especially that their children are current on their vaccinations.”
According to theCenters For Disease Control and Prevention there are more than 1,100 cases of the measles in the United States. Kentucky and Ohio are among the 29 states with confirmed cases. Health experts declared the measles eradicated in 2000. But there have been several outbreaks since then. In 2014, there were about 400 cases found within Ohio’s Amish communities. Health experts said the current outbreak already represents the highest number of cases in 20 years.
