CINCINNATI — The Ohio Department of Health announced that some people who were present at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport last week may been exposed to measles.
The announcement comes after ODH reported that a child in Montgomery County was the first reported case of measles in the state this year. The state health department said the reported case is related to the potential exposure at the airport.
Health officials are warning those who were at the airport on Jan. 27 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. and Jan. 29 between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. to be aware of symptoms.
Ohio health officials are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify people who may have been exposed, including contacting passengers on specific flights.
Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, a runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed.
The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from 4 days before the rash appears through 4 days after the rash appears.
If you or your child have not been vaccinated, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible to get a vaccine (MMR is routinely recommended for children over the age of 12 months). Individuals who are not vaccinated should be very careful in watching for any signs and symptoms because measles is extremely contagious.
If you develop symptoms, health officials urge you to stay home and away from others and call your healthcare provider.