A Butler County infant has been diagnosed with measles, health officials announced on Thursday. The baby contracted the disease through international travel and then returned to the U.S. via a Chicago-area airport before traveling to Ohio by car.
Erik Balster, the county’s health commissioner, made the announcement in a statement that emphasized the importance of immunization to prevent the spread of measles.
Health department staff worked diligently over the July 4th holiday to notify close contacts of the child about their potential exposure to measles. Those who did not receive a call from Butler County General Health District can assume that they were not exposed to the disease.
For questions about vaccination or to schedule an appointment for vaccination, please contact Butler County General Health District at 513-863-1770. The best way to protect yourself and your family from measles is through immunization. Infants under a year old who are traveling are advised to receive an early dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine between 6 and 11 months of age, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).