Columbus Health announced that the outbreak ended with no new cases after 42 days. The equal of two measles virus incubation periods.
“Our community has had low vaccination rates for MMR for many years. But we have never had a measles outbreak like we have now. So, it caught us by surprise,” City of Columbus Health. .
Health officials said they began “sounding the alarm” early to combat the outbreak. They provided information about the virus’ ability to spread easily. And they promoted the importance of vaccinating. Young children against the virus, Roberts said.
“Also, we’ve had family members of people who have contracted measles. Who have been very vocal and said they made a mistake — they should have vaccinated their child. And I think that helped as well,” added Roberts.
In central Ohio, the outbreak spread to small pockets. Of families who stopped vaccinating their children.
Despite widespread misinformation, about 90% of US children are still vaccinated against measles. Mumps and rubella by age 2, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The measles virus is spread. When an infected person coughs or sneezes or spreads germs on surfaces. And it can survive in the air for up to two hours. Although measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. It sometimes appears in communities with low vaccination rates.
