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Ohio’s third measles outbreak of 2026 continues to grow, more than doubling the total for all of 2025 in the latest update.
The Ohio Department of Health is reporting 99 cases in 12 counties, according to its summary of infectious diseases dashboard, updated Aug. 20. That’s up from 69 cases in 11 counties on Aug. 13.
“It’s unfortunate that these outbreaks have become more common in Ohio over the past few years, because this disease is preventable,” Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, ODH director, said a July 30 statement. “This serves to emphasize the importance of being fully vaccinated. I strongly encourage you to protect yourselves and your children by getting vaccinated.”
Nationwide, measles cases nationwide hit a 35-year high for a disease once declared eradicated in the United States. Data released July 22 by the Johns Hopkins University shows 2,295 measles cases have been reported nationwide so far this year, surpassing the 2,286 infections recorded during all of 2025 and marking the highest annual total since 1991.
Measles growing in Ohio; counties reporting cases
Ohio counties reporting measles cases since Jan. 1, 2026, include:
Ashtabula: 24
Cuyahoga: 3
Franklin: 7
Geauga: 24
Harrison: 10
Holmes: 4
Knox: 2
Meigs: 4
Ottawa: 1
Trumbull: 3
Tuscarawas: 12
Wayne: 5
The case count reflects two previous outbreaks in Cuyahoga County in January and Franklin County in February. The ages of those with confirmed cases range from 15 months to 20 years old, according to various health departments.
Measles cases have been growing in Ohio over the past several years, with 45 cases in 2025, seven in 2024 and one case in 2023.
Where are measles cases spreading?
While Harrison County Public Health reported one case of measles as of Aug. 7, the state dashboard shows two additional cases there.
The Wayne County Health Department reports some of its cases are likely associated with a previously identified measles exposure event at Smokey Lane Stables, 686 Smokey Lane Road NW in Sugarcreek, on July 17. One of the Tuscarawas cases is from the same event, that county health department reports.
Geauga Public Health reports that the individuals with measles visited several locations while able to spread the virus, including Bloomfield Horse Sale, 2211 Kinsman Road NW, on July 18. The Tuscarawas health department reports that another of its cases was exposed at the Bloomfield Livestock Auction, at the same address as Bloomfield Horse Sale, on on the same day.
In Trumbull County, health officials report that infected individuals were at the Walmart in Liberty on July 29 and Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley Emergency Department in Boardman on Aug. 2, during the time they were able to spread the virus.
Measles cases hit 35-year high in United States
The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000 after recording just 86 cases that year, according to USA TODAY, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But a series of outbreaks that began in early 2025, centered initially in Gaines County, Texas, has helped drive the virus’ resurgence.
Health experts say the recent surge has been fueled by declining vaccination rates that have left more communities vulnerable to outbreaks.
Why are measles cases on the rise? Ohio vaccination rates
Vaccination for measles has declined in recent years, resulting in a growing number of states no longer reporting rates consistent with herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated. Most people are then protected, even if they cannot get the vaccine themselves, because those around them are immune and cannot spread the disease.
Vaccination coverage among U.S. kindergartners decreased from 95.2% during the 2019–20 school year to 92.5% in the 2024–25 school year, well under the threshold necessary for effective herd immunity, according to the CDC.
Declining protections have also been attributed to the growing anti-vaccine movement, which was bolstered by the confirmation of vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary. In addition to making anti-vaccine comments, Kennedy also downplayed pediatric deaths related to measles and touted false cures and preventives, such as the use of vitamin A. During the height of the Texas outbreak, Kennedy encouraged inoculation against measles, pulling back from his previous anti-vaccine messaging. Kennedy is now encouraging the measles vaccine.
In Ohio, MMR vaccine — which protects against measles, mumps and rubella — coverage rate for children and adolescents was 91.5% for 2023, the most recent year available from ODH. Previous years ranged from an 80% to 90% immunization rate:
2019: 81.8%
2020: 88.0%
2021: 91.7%
2022: 89.0%
Trump signs executive order to separate MMR vaccine
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to split the childhood measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into three shots and delivering them at separate medical visits as well as “calling for more vaccine flexibility and research” and fewer childhood vaccinations, USA TODAY reports.
“You have the MMR, we want it in three separate vaccinations, given at separate times. Together there could be a possibility they’re quite lethal and separately, it looks like they are not at all lethal, but just very effective,” said Trump from the Oval Office as he signed the order.
But the MMR vaccine is not lethal, and medical research shows no health benefit or reduced risk from splitting it. In contrast, separating the shots increases injection pain, leaves children unprotected longer, and lower overall vaccination rates, according to experts.
Can you get measles if vaccinated?
Two doses of MMR are 97% effective against measles, ODH reports. If you are up to date on the measles vaccine, the risk of getting sick is very low.
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Are measles deadly?
Measles can be deadly. ODH states that complications from measles are more common among children younger than 5 years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. As many as one out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
What does measles look like? Signs, symptoms
Symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after exposure, but it can take up to 21 days. Symptoms include a rash, high fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite and red, watery eyes. The rash usually lasts five to six days and begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck, and proceeds down the body. Diarrhea and ear infections are common complications of measles. More severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, may also occur.
The measles virus can live for up to two hours in air where an infected person coughed or sneezed. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch an infected surface and then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. People infected with measles can spread it to others from four days before, through four days after, a rash appears.
Are measles itchy?
Not usually, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
How to protect yourself against measles
Both ODH and the CDC say the best way to protect yourself against measles is to be vaccinated.