Rashes caused by Measles | Credits: Getty Images
Rashes caused by Measles | Credits: Getty Images

Measles alert at CVG sparks concerns in Ohio; health officials issue warning

United States: The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has issued a cautionary statement regarding the growing threat of measles in the country, shedding light on a potential exposure incident at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) during a weekend in January.

According to ODH, the likely location of the spread of the infection is Terminal A. The suspected timeframe for exposure is between 5 pm and 9 pm on January 27 and from 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm on January 29.

Moreover, the Department of Health has affirmed its collaborative efforts with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with state and local health authorities, to identify and trace individuals who may have been infected, particularly those on the specific flights.

Measles and its Symptoms

Health authorities emphasize that measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can linger in the air for up to two hours after leaving the body of an infected person.

Visual Representation for Symptoms for Measles | Credits: Google
Visual Representation for Symptoms for Measles | Credits: Google

Symptoms typically manifest in two stages. During the initial stage, individuals may experience high fever, a runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a cough within seven to 14 days after exposure. In the second stage, occurring three to five days post-exposure, rashes appear on the face and body.

It is noted that 90 percent of the reported cases involved unvaccinated individuals, heightening the contagious nature of the infection.

The first documented case in the state was identified in a child from Montgomery County, potentially linked to measles exposure at CVG, as detailed by ODH. Dr Bruce Vanderhoff, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, stressed the severity of measles, stating, “Measles can be a very serious illness for anyone. The key to preventing measles is vaccination. If you are not vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to get the vaccine.”