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Article Summary
A measles exposure was reported at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center after two out-of-state patients with confirmed measles visited the emergency department while contagious. The Cincinnati Health Department identified two potential exposure windows on Sept. 14 and early Sept. 15 and is contacting people who may have been exposed. Officials said there are no active measles cases in Cincinnati.
A measles exposure was reported at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
This, after two out-of-state patients visited its emergency department while contagious, according to the Cincinnati Health Department.
The potential exposure occurred in shared public areas of the hospital’s Emergency Department on Sept. 14 and early Sept. 15. Health officials said there are currently no active measles cases in Cincinnati.
Two patients tested positive for measles
The two out-of-state residents arrived at the Cincinnati Children’s emergency department on Burnet Avenue at about 5:30 p.m. Sept. 14 with symptoms consistent with measles.
Testing completed Wednesday confirmed that both patients had measles and were contagious while they were at the hospital, health officials said.
The patients had been exposed to measles in their home state. They have since been discharged and returned home, according to the Cincinnati Health Department.
Two potential exposure windows identified
Health officials identified two periods when people may have been exposed in the emergency department’s shared public areas:
- Sept. 14: 5:40 p.m. to 7:48 p.m.
- Sept. 14 to Sept. 15: 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.
The Cincinnati Health Department said the potential exposure was limited to public areas of the Emergency Department. It did not include other areas of Cincinnati Children’s or times outside those windows.
Cincinnati Children’s operates a 24-hour emergency department at its Burnet Campus at 3401 Burnet Ave.
Health officials contacting people who may have been exposed
Cincinnati Children’s and the Cincinnati Health Department have identified people who may have been exposed and are contacting them by phone.
Health officials advised anyone who visited the emergency department during the identified exposure periods and has not received a call to contact the Cincinnati Health Department at 513-357-7462.
Health officials also advise people who develop symptoms after a potential exposure to contact their health care provider before visiting a medical facility.
The CDC recommends that people who believe they have been exposed to measles contact a health care provider immediately. Health care providers can determine whether someone has immunity and discuss steps that could reduce the risk of developing measles after exposure.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles can cause a high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash. Symptoms commonly develop several days after exposure but can take up to 21 days to appear.
The CDC describes measles as one of the most contagious diseases and says the MMR vaccine provides the best protection against infection.
As of Sept. 10, the CDC had reported 3,294 confirmed measles cases in the United States in 2026, including cases reported in Ohio.
For the Cincinnati exposure, however, health officials said there are no active measles cases in Cincinnati at this time.
FAQs
Is there an active measles case in Cincinnati?
No. The Cincinnati Health Department said there are currently no active measles cases in Cincinnati. The two people who tested positive were from out of state and have returned to their home state.
What should I do if I was at Cincinnati Children’s during the exposure period?
People who believe they were exposed should contact their health care provider. Those who were in the emergency department during the identified windows and have not been contacted can call the Cincinnati Health Department at 513-357-7462.
Should someone with possible measles symptoms go directly to the hospital?
Health officials advise people with possible measles symptoms to contact their medical provider first and follow instructions before arriving at a health care facility. This helps reduce the risk of exposing other patients and staff.
oes the exposure include the entire Cincinnati Children’s hospital?
The Cincinnati Health Department said people could have been exposed only in shared public areas of the Emergency Department during the identified time periods. It does not include other areas of the hospital or times outside those windows.
