Let’s Talk Measles

Measles has been a big story this year, both in Ohio and nationally. The state has seen more than 200 reported cases so far, the most in any year in Ohio in over a decade.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) works closely with its local health department partners to help encourage people to get the MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which is safe and highly effective (97%) against this extremely contagious disease that can cause serious illness, including hospitalizations.

On the latest episode of the ODH podcast series, "Healthy Perspectives with Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff," Dr. Vanderhoff discusses the measles outbreak with Kara Tarter, chief of ODH's Bureau of Infectious Diseases (BID), and Nick Cascarelli, commissioner of the Wayne County Health Department.

Kara shared what the ODH team is doing to encourage vaccinations, including running a statewide media campaign and sending out measles toolkits to local health departments.

Commissioner Cascarelli highlights some success stories his team has had in Wayne County, including going door-to-door to talk to residents in under-vaccinated communities.

To listen to the podcast, visit one of the following links:

Picture below, left to right: BID Chief Kara Tarter, ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Wayne County Health Commissioner Nick Cascarelli.