09-05-2025
Local hospital visitors may have been exposed to measles
CLEVELAND (WJW) – A pediatric case of measles has been confirmed in Cuyahoga County, prompting urgent warnings from public health officials.
The child, who was not vaccinated for measles, was treated at Hillcrest Hospital earlier this month. According to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the case was reported on May 4 and officially confirmed on May 6.
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The child first visited Hillcrest Hospital on May 2 for lab work and returned to the emergency department on May 4, where symptoms led to the measles diagnosis. The child is currently isolating at home.
Officials say the public may have been exposed on May 2 between 3:50 and 6:15 p.m. in the Atrium lobby of Hillcrest Hospital. Those who were in the lobby during that time and cannot prove immunity to measles are being urged to quarantine for 21 days, even if they are not showing symptoms.
'We're acting quickly to limit the spread of this virus,' said Jana Rush, Director of Epidemiology for the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. 'If you were there and you're not immune, the safest thing you can do is stay home.'
A person is considered immune to measles if they've had two doses of the MMR vaccine, were born before 1957, or have had blood work showing measles immunity.
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Measles is extremely contagious—one infected, unvaccinated person can spread it to up to 15 others. Symptoms often appear 7–14 days after exposure and typically start with fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye), followed by a spreading rash. Complications can include pneumonia, ear infections, brain inflammation, and—in rare cases—death. Infants, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.
Health officials are asking anyone who may have been exposed and is showing symptoms to call their doctor before going in, to avoid exposing others. The Board of Health also emphasizes that the best protection against measles is vaccination.
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