OHIO — Cases of measles are continuing to pop up across the U.S. 

What You Need To Know

  • Currently, there's an outbreak in West Texas, where one child has died

  • A case was also confirmed in Kentucky

  • While Ohio has no cases so far in 2025, it's no stranger to outbreaks
  • Ohio's MMR vaccination rates among kindergarteners is also among the lowest in the country

In Texas, a child recently died from the disease and more than 100 others were infected. Kentucky just had its first confirmed case this year after someone traveled internationally, contracted the disease, and went to a Planet Fitness while being infectious, according to Kentucky state health officials. 

Overall, there have been three measles outbreaks since the start of 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

While Ohio hasn't had any cases so far this year, the state has had its fair share of measles outbreaks in the past, and currently, many remain unvaccinated for the disease, data shows. 

In 2022, Ohio had the largest outbreak of the disease in the U.S. with 90 confirmed cases, according to CDC data. While it improved in 2023 with just one case confirmed, nearly 10 cases were reported in 2024. 

CDC data also shows that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in Ohio are below the benchmark of 95% recommended by health officials, as they say 95% vaccination rates in a community can help develop herd immunity to a disease.

(CDC)

Over the last five years, vaccination among kindergarteners in Ohio has wavered around 89%. The Buckeye State is also among states with the lowest vaccination rates. 

Nationally, MMR vaccination coverage among kindergarteners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019 to 2020 school year to 92.7% for the 2023-2024 school year, which left nearly 280,000 at risk for contracting the disease in 2023-2024.

What is measles?

Measles is highly contagious, according to the World Health Organization, and can affect anyone but is most common in children. 

It can spread easily when an infected person breaths, coughs or sneezes. It infects the respiratory tract and spreads throughout the body, which can cause severe disease, complications and even death. 

The WHO said being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with the measles or from spreading it to other people. Prior to the measles vaccine coming to fruition in 1963, WHO data shows major epidemics occurred every two to three years, causing around 2.6 million deaths a year. 

Signs and symptoms include:

  • Running nose
  • Cough
  • Red and watery eyes
  • Small white spots inside the cheeks

Death is usually caused by complications from the disease, including:

  • Blindness
  • Encephalitis (an infection causing brain swelling and potentially brain damage)
  • Severe diarrhoea and related dehydration
  • Ear infections
  • Severe breathing problems including pneumonia

Who is at risk?

Anyone who is not vaccinated or hasn't developed immunity can become infected. The WHO said unvaccinated young children and pregnant people are at the highest risk for severe complications. 

Is there a treatment?

For the most part, no, there is no treatment for measles. However, when someone contracts measles, the goal of health care providers is to treat the symptoms to make the infected individual more comfortable. 

For example, drinking enough water to counteract dehydration, antibiotics for pneumonia and eye infections, and implementing a healthy diet are all treatment options.