First measles case confirmed in Mahoning County

Mahoning County Public Health (MCPH) confirmed in a release Friday that a Mahoning County resident has tested positive for measles, according to WFMJ and WKBN.com. The health department is working with the Ohio Department of Health to track the case and notify anyone who may have been exposed.

The confirmation came after the Youngstown City Health District was notified Tuesday that measles had been detected in wastewater samples, and received another call Thursday about the situation. Epidemiologist Noelle Kosela said wastewater detections do not always mean illness is present, because "we can get detections from vaccine immunity." The same samples showed flu trending higher and hinted at a COVID concentration in water handled by the Youngstown Wastewater Treatment Plant, but this was the first measles detection there.

"We're just using this as detection. We're on a little bit of a higher vigilance in looking for these cases now that we know they might be in the area," Kosela said. The confirmed case and the wastewater results are being shared with doctors, hospitals and other communities. Kosela said the wastewater signal gives officials an idea that measles "could be in the area," and that they are prepared to trace cases if another is found.

MCPH says symptoms typically appear 1 to 2 weeks after exposure but can take as long as 3 weeks to develop. Symptoms can include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and rashes occurring 3 to 5 days after initial symptoms arise. The disease is highly contagious, can spread through the air, and may cause complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, encephalitis (brain swelling) or death, with immunocompromised individuals at greater risk.

Residents are encouraged to check their MMR vaccine status and watch for symptoms. MCPH says being vaccinated "is the best way to prevent measles and its complications." Those who need the MMR vaccine are advised to contact their healthcare provider or call (330) 270-2855 ext. 125. The Youngstown City Health District offers flu shots and measles vaccines from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at 9 W Front Street. Anyone who thinks they may have measles should call a healthcare provider, urgent care or the emergency room before visiting so instructions can be given to prevent exposure to others.

The Ohio case sits within a wider regional picture. WFMJ and WKBN.com reported that two cases of measles were confirmed in Trumbull County in August, and Mercer County, Pa., had 28 cases confirmed as of September. The Columbus Dispatch reported that Ohio measles cases are up nearly 600% this year, with 25 counties having 2026 cases, and Star Beacon reported that Ashtabula County ranks second among Ohio counties for measles cases.

In Vermont, health officials confirmed connected measles cases in Orleans County, Vermont Public reported. Health Commissioner Rick Hildebrant said the number of cases remained "less than five" and called the situation "evolving," while saying the risk to the general public remains low. He said the disease was believed to have been contracted when people traveled out-of-state but within the country, and warned: "We have the risk of seeing person-to-person transmission within the state of Vermont. We have not seen that yet. But I am fearful that we might." Vermont officials last detected a measles case in February, and the state reported two cases in both 2025 and 2024.