Measles in Cuyahoga County: 3 pediatric cases reported

CLEVELAND, Ohio — There are three pediatric cases of highly contagious measles in Cuyahoga County — one confirmed and two probable, health officials said Wednesday.
All three patients live in the same household and all three are unvaccinated, officials said.
A case is called probable when a patient meets the clinical criteria for a disease, but lacks confirmation from lab results.
The sick children were exposed to other children with measles during holiday travels, health officials said. All household members have been seen by medical professionals and are isolating until the illness passes.
These confirmed and probable measles cases come after Ohio’s 2025 measles outbreak— which caused 44 recorded cases in the state — was declared over in June. That outbreak also saw cases in eight Ohio counties, including Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Franklin and Knox counties.
Read more from 2025: U.S. measles cases hit decades-long peak: Where does Ohio stand?
Measles is highly contagious; one unvaccinated person who is ill with measles can infect up to 15 other people.
Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, or conjunctivitis (pink eye) that appear within seven to 14 days after exposure, followed by a rash that typically begins on the face and spreads downward.
Complications from measles can be serious and may include ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and in rare cases, death. Pregnant women, infants, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe outcomes from measles.
“It is critical to remind parents, grandparents, caregivers and those who operate facilities that serve children and families about the importance of vaccinations,” county health officials said. “Measles is a preventable illness, meaning that there is a dedicated vaccine available to stop children from contracting measles and becoming sick.”
The vaccine, known as the MMR vaccine, also protects against mumps and rubella, two contagious viral infections.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended for children, first at 12to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of age. With the protection of two doses, the vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing measles, health officials said.