Two measles cases have been confirmed in Ashtabula County, Ohio, prompting health officials to issue public exposure warnings for agricultural sites and a hospital emergency department in July 2026. Authorities are coordinating contact tracing and vaccination efforts as part of a broader rise in regional cases.
Ashtabula County Health Department Confirms Two Cases
The Ashtabula County Health Department confirmed two cases of measles in the far northeast corner of Ohio. Local health officials are working alongside the Ohio Department of Health to track potential exposures, encourage vaccinations, and establish quarantine guidance for anyone identified through contact tracing. The health department announced the two cases on Thursday, July 23, noting that it is working closely with the Ohio Department of Health to follow up on potential exposures and to promote vaccination opportunities. ACHD said the county is working with confirmed cases and connected healthcare providers to identify all contacts, and those who are contacted will be notified through their local health department and given guidance on quarantining.
Local health officials note that while individuals with immunity face very low risk, anyone lacking documented protection remains vulnerable to the highly transmissible virus. Although the likelihood of contracting measles is low in vaccinated individuals, it is still essential to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions, especially for individuals without documented immunity against measles,
the department said in a news release.
Public Exposure Locations and Monitoring Timeline
The infected individuals were at several locations while infectious, according to the health department. The time for exposure includes the period when the individual was at the locations listed below and two hours after. Anyone who was at the following locations during the times listed could have been exposed to measles:
- July 17, 2026: Sugarcreek Stockyard at 102 Buckeye St. SW in Sugarcreek (also listed as 102 Buckeye St. NW).
- July 18, 2026: Bloomfield Livestock Auction at 2211 Kinsman Rd. NW in Bloomfield.
- July 18, 2026, from 2:46 p.m. to 10:57 p.m.: Hillcrest Hospital Adult Emergency Department at 6780 Mayfield Rd. in Mayfield Heights.
Because the measles virus can survive in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes, exposure at the hospital environment extended past the departure time (meaning exposure at the hospital could have happened up to 12:57 a.m.). Anyone present at these sites without prior measles immunity can expect symptoms to emerge between July 24, 2026, and August 19, 2026, though individuals with weakened immune systems may take longer to experience symptoms.
Regional Context Across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan
The Ashtabula County infections arrive as public health agencies monitor case counts. State health authorities emphasize that the MMR vaccine offers robust protection against the virus. Measles is extremely contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing, and it can be brought into Ohio by individuals who travel to places where measles is spreading. If people are not protected against the disease, nine out of 10 people who are exposed will become ill. The measles vaccine, called MMR as it protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is safe and effective at preventing measles. Two doses of MMR are 97% effective against measles, and if you are up to date on the measles vaccine, the risk of getting sick is extremely low.
The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 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. Measles symptoms include a rash, high fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, and red, watery eyes. The rash usually lasts 5 to 6 days and begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck, and proceeds down the body.
Officials urge anyone who was at any of the locations on those dates to find out if they have been vaccinated against measles or have had measles before, and to talk to a healthcare provider if unsure about vaccination status. Anyone who has been exposed should call a healthcare provider promptly for fever or unexplained rash. To avoid possibly spreading measles to others, individuals are advised to call the facility first to ask for a measles screening. Please do not show up in the waiting room without contacting staff first in case you are contagious,
reads the release. Getting a vaccination or medication can prevent illness even after exposure in some cases, which is especially important for people at high risk for measles complications. Most people around Ashtabula County already have immunity due to vaccinations, so the risk to the public is low,
according to the release.
Ashtabula County Health Department