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MAHONING COUNTY, Ohio (WKBN) - Mahoning County Public Health (MCPH) confirmed in a release Friday that a Mahoning County resident has tested positive for measles.
MCPH says the infected individual is unvaccinated.
They are working with the Ohio Department of Health to track the case and notify anybody who might've been exposed.
"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," said Epidemiologist Noelle Kosela.
The Youngstown City Health District was also notified Tuesday that measles has been detected in wastewater samples, and it got another call Thursday about the situation.
"When it comes to wastewater detections, they don't always necessarily mean there's an illness in the area. We can get detections from vaccine immunity," Kosela said.
The confirmed case and the wastewater results are shared with doctors, hospitals and other communities.
The latest wastewater detection numbers also show flu trending higher and hint at a COVID concentration in the water handled by the Youngstown Wastewater Treatment Plant. But this was the first time for a measles detection.
"It's giving us an idea that it could be in the area, and we're just going to continue our efforts in looking for these cases, and should we get a case, we are prepared to trace," Kosela said.
Wastewater testing gathers the shower, sink and toilet water contributions from all households in a community. So, the samples are showing sickness is around, which is typically this time of the year. It's watching for actual cases, and you should be watching for symptoms.
"If you are feeling sick, you know, stay home. If you are coughing and sneezing, we recommend coughing and sneezing into the elbow, just because if you cough and sneeze into your hands, and then you go and touch something, you can spread the germs that way," Kosela said.
Symptoms of measles typically appear 1 to 2 weeks after exposure, but can take as long as 3 weeks to develop, MCPH says. Symptoms can include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and rashes occurring 3 to 5 days after initial symptoms arise.
It's encouraged to check your MMR vaccine status and stay on the lookout for symptoms. MCPH says being vaccinated "is the best way to prevent measles and its complications."
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 a greater risk.
If you or your child needs the MMR vaccine, MCPH advises you to contact your healthcare provider or call their office at (330) 270-2855 ext. 125 to schedule an appointment.
The Youngstown City Health District recommends a flu shot and measles vaccine. It offers them from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at 9 W Front Street.
If you think you might have measles, MCPH advises you to call your healthcare provider, urgent care or emergency room before your visit so they can provide you with instructions to prevent exposure to others.
Two cases of measles were confirmed in Trumbull County in August, and Mercer County, Pa. Had 28 cases confirmed as of September.