Measles confirmed in Findlay

FINDLAY — Hancock Public Health announced a confirmed measles case in Findlay via Facebook on Friday. Health Commissioner Lindsay Summit told The Courier the health department received confirmation on Friday morning. They are still investigating, and it is not yet clear where this person was exposed to measles. The health department said this individual was at multiple locations in Findlay while infectious. Anyone who was at the following locations during these times may have been exposed to measles: NWO Urgent Care from 2:30-5:30 p.m. on Sept. 29, and Blanchard Valley Hospital Emergency Department from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Sept. 29. Anyone who was present at these locations during these times is asked to fill out the Measles Close Contact Investigation Form that can be found at www.hancockph.com or https://tinyurl.com/mv865895. Summit said the health department is working with both healthcare facilities to try to get information on who might have been exposed. She urged anyone who had been at either site to reach out to Hancock Public Health through the form. "Blanchard Valley Health System is aware of the confirmed measles case and has been working closely with Hancock Public Health," BVHS reported in a statement to The Courier Friday afternoon. "Our Emergency Department team followed appropriate infection prevention protocols when the patient presented for care. Hancock Public Health has identified the Blanchard Valley Hospital Emergency Department as a potential exposure location on Sept. 29 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. and is leading community notification regarding the case. We encourage members of the community to follow Hancock Public Health for the latest information and guidance." Heather Wymer, managing NWO Urgent Care on Friday, said, "We're working diligently with the health department." She, too, recommended Hancock Public Health as the best source of information. Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and rash. Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, it can be contracted at any age. "Measles is highly contagious. The virus is spread by tiny droplets that go into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, or by direct contact with secretions from an infected person," said Laura Reinhart, a nurse practitioner and director of nursing at Hancock Public Health. "These tiny droplets can stay suspended in the air for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the space. If one person has measles, up to nine out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected." Because of how easily measles spread, anyone who thinks they may have measles is asked to alert a healthcare provider before showing up. "Call ahead before going inside," Summit said. Reinhart added that measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5-years-old. More severe complications include pneumonia (infection of the lungs), encephalitis (an acute inflammation of the brain) and even death, she said. Measles may also cause pregnant women to give birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby. You are considered protected (immune) if you were born before 1957, you have documentation of at least one dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine (two doses are recommended to be considered fully immune) or you have ever had measles diagnosed by a healthcare provider. Measles vaccination is recommended for anyone age 1 and older who may be unvaccinated to protect themselves and others. Children should get the MMR vaccine at 12–15 months and again at 4–6 years, with earlier doses (as young as 6 months) sometimes recommended during special circumstances such as for travel or during outbreaks. Check with your healthcare provider if you have any questions. "The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine," Reinhart said. "MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against measles. MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles. Talk to your healthcare providers about the MMR vaccine, especially if planning to travel. Anyone who is not protected is at risk for measles." Friday's announcement was the third confirmed measles case in Northwest Ohio within two weeks. The Wood County Health Department reported a confirmed measles case in Bowling Green via press release on Tuesday. That announcement comes 11 days after the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department reported a confirmed case on Facebook on Sept. 18.