Two new cases of measles confirmed

| May 22, 2014

COSHOCTON – The Coshocton County Health Department has confirmed two new cases of measles within the Amish community which brings the total to six in the county.

Five other counties also have confirmed measles cases. They include: Ashland, Holmes, Knox, Richland and Wayne. A total of 89 cases of measles have been confirmed in Ohio. There have been several hospitalizations reported; most have recovered on their own.

Robert R. Brems Jr., health commissioner, reports that both new Coshocton cases are adult males who reside in White Eyes Township. Neither man was vaccinated prior to the start of the outbreak. They are not immediate relations of the prior confirmed cases, however, the did report contact with previously confirmed cases through work or the community in some capacity.

In Ohio, the case with the earliest onset of symptoms began on March 22. The case with the most resent onset of symptoms began on May 15. The measles cases are between the ages of 1 month and 52 years. Of these cases, 44 cases are female and 45 cases are male.

The Coshocton County Health Department recently conducted two measles clinics, one in New Bedford and one just outside of New Bedford. Staff also traveled to vaccinate employees at three businesses. To date, 545 doses of the vaccines have been administered by Coshocton County staff. The Coshocton County staff also assisted the Holmes County Health Department with a clinic held at Keim Lumber in Charm that resulted in nearly 1,000 people being vaccinated.

The Coshocton County Health Department established a dedicated measles information line for the public. The information line number is: 295-7317. The information line will provide brief information about measles and will list local clinic dates and times in the surrounding area. The information line is not answered, but callers needing more information can leave a message and the call will be returned as soon as possible.

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