Student Health Advisory: Incidence of Measles in Ohio

The Ohio Department of Health recently announced a measles outbreak in Ashtabula County and one confirmed case in Knox County. While there are no known cases in Lorain County at this time, we are actively monitoring the situation. 

Our Student Health Services clinical team is in direct contact with Lorain County Public Health to monitor communicable disease prevention. 

At this time, there is no immediate risk to campus. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is safe and highly effective. If you have received two doses of the vaccine, your risk of getting measles is extremely low. 

Key symptoms of measles include the following:

• Fatigue and body aches
• Cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes
• Fever (above 100°F)
• Small white spots inside the mouth (known as Koplik spots)

Students with questions or symptoms (especially fever, rash, or exposure concerns) should contact Student Health Services at 440-775-8180 during office hours (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday, till 7 p.m. Thursday). If you experience any of these symptoms after hours, go to Mercy Health—Allen Hospital or the nearest emergency room.

Faculty and staff with questions or symptoms are encouraged to contact their health-care provider.

For a full overview of measles symptoms, transmission, and prevention, visit the CDC’s measles (rubeola) resources website.

We will continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with Lorain County Public Health, and we will inform the campus community of any additional developments as appropriate.

Joanna L. Ornelas, CNP
Director of Student Health Services 

Andrew A. Oni, PhD
Assistant Vice President for Student Health and Wellbeing