A case of measles has been identified in a Montgomery County resident who was evaluated at the Dayton Children’s South Emergency Department, 3333 West Tech Road. Other individuals who were present at the emergency department on March 26, 2023, between the hours of 6:58 pm and 10:22 pm, and on March 30, 2023, between the hours of 10:30 am and 2:27 pm, are being contacted by Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County to assess their measles vaccination status and to provide them with information regarding signs and symptoms of measles and appropriate quarantine measures.
Measles is very contagious. Children infected with measles can spread it to others, even before they have symptoms. The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air after an infected person leaves the room. Nine out of 10 unvaccinated children who are exposed to the measles will become infected.
Symptoms of measles can include high fever cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash 3-5 days after other symptoms begin. Measles can be serious, and about 1 in 5 children who get measles will be hospitalized with complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, or brain swelling.
Unvaccinated individuals are at risk of infection and severe disease. Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County urges parents to vaccinate their children to protect them from becoming infected.
“The safest way to protect children from measles is to make sure they are vaccinated,” said Dr. Becky Thomas, Medical Director, Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County. During the pandemic many children may have missed receiving routine vaccinations. Parents should talk to their child’s doctor now, to make sure they are up-to-date will all vaccinations.
In addition, a mumps case has been identified in a Montgomery County resident. The case has been isolated and all contacts of the case have been notified. Symptoms of mumps can include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite.
Please note: Public Health does not provide treatment for the measles or the mumps. If you are experiencing symptoms of either, contact your healthcare provider or an urgent care facility as soon as possible. Call the provider before you come to notify them you have a measles or mumps concern.
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against the measles or the mumps. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection recommends all children get two doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.
If you are unvaccinated, or do not know if you are vaccinated, contact your healthcare provider. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective with hundreds of millions of doses given. Contact your local pharmacy or healthcare provider to get vaccinated. In addition, Public Health provides MMR vaccinations at its clinic at located in the Reibold Building, 117 St. Main St. in downtown Dayton. To schedule an appointment, call 937-225-4550.
