Health officials confirm measles outbreak in Ohio; Kansas cases increase to 23
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Health authorities announced a measles outbreak in Ohio on Wednesday, making the state among the latest to sound the alarm over growing numbers of infections.
Ohio Department of Health officials said the outbreak consists of 10 people in Ashtabula County bordering Pennsylvania. Nine cases are linked to an unvaccinated man reported last week as the state's first measles case of 2025.
In the central part of Ohio, there is also a confirmed case in Knox County, where a "visitor" exposed others to measles in the community and nearby counties. None of the individuals infected with the highly contagious disease were vaccinated.
The announcement from Ohio health authorities comes as measles cases nationwide in 2025 have already surpassed 2024's total case count. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 378 people in 18 states have been diagnosed with measles. The outbreaks are primarily in Texas and New Mexico.
"Given the measles activity in Texas, New Mexico, and other states around the country, we’re disappointed but not surprised we now have several cases here in Ohio and known exposure in some counties," said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio public health department. "This disease can be very serious, even deadly, but it is almost entirely avoidable by being properly vaccinated. Measles is especially dangerous for young children, so I strongly urge all parents across Ohio to make sure your children are vaccinated. It is a crucial layer of protection that can save lives."
Vaccination rates down in Ohio spark deep concern
The CDC defines a measles outbreak as three or more related cases. Measles can spread quickly, and each case can lead to an additional 12 to 18 cases if people aren’t protected against the disease.
Ohio health officials warned that it was only a matter of time before measles reached the state, especially given an "alarming" decline in childhood vaccinations in the state.
Vaccine rates for measles, mumps, and rubella — commonly known as MMR shots — in kindergartners dropped in Ohio from 89.2% in the 2023-2024 school year to 88.3% in the current school year, according to the public health department's recent school immunization report.
This isn't Ohio's first outbreak in recent years. In 2022, Ohio had 90 measles cases, with 85 in central Ohio.
Where else are cases growing?
Ohio is just one state where the number of measles infections has reached the point of becoming an outbreak.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirmed 23 cases in the state on Wednesday. Almost all the cases were among people under age 18: six cases among children age 4 and younger; 15 among people between the age of 5 and 17.
Of those infected, at least 20 were not at all vaccinated. One person was not vaccinated at the appropriate age; one was vaccinated as recommended; and one case is pending. The outbreak is concentrated in the southwestern part of the state, according to Kansas authorities.
Health officials elsewhere are worried about potential outbreaks.
Washington, D.C. officials confirmed a case on Tuesday as the capital region is gearing up for its signature cherry blossom season, which attracts millions of people each year. In 2024, 1.6 million visitors visited Washington and its surrounding areas for cherry blossom season, according to National Cherry Blossom Festival organizers and Mayor Muriel Bowser's office.
The famed blossoms are expected to reach their peak bloom — and peak tourism draw — this weekend.
The person who contracted measles traveled on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional route heading southbound on March 19.
Contributing by Marina Pitofsky, Paste BN
Samantha Hendrickson is a medical business and health care reporter at the Columbus Dispatch, part of the Paste BN Network. Michael Loria is a breaking news reproter at Paste BN.