Measles Update: The Union County Health Department issued a public notice Jan. 3 informing the public of the potential for exposure to measles. People without vaccination against measles or without other known immunity who were at Meijer at Coleman’s Crossing Blvd, Marysville, on Dec. 23 from 9am-noon or Dec. 26 from 2-5pm should watch for signs and symptoms of measles and call their healthcare provider if they develop symptoms. It can take up to 21 days to develop symptoms from time of exposure. Click here for more information about measles.
As of Jan. 5, 2023, the Union County Health Department is reporting 2 confirmed cases of measles among Union County residents. One case appears to be linked to the ongoing Central Ohio outbreak. We are still investigating the second case. Our public health partners in Columbus are reporting 82 confirmed cases as part of the current Central Ohio outbreak. 32 cases have been hospitalized. The Central Ohio outbreak data indicates measles infection is predominantly affecting children age 5 and younger; primarily those who are unvaccinated or too young to be vaccinated. To help protect these young children and all children, the Union County Health Department encourages parents to make sure their children are up-to-date on measles vaccination. The first dose of measles vaccination is recommended between ages 12-15 months and the second dose is recommended between ages 4-6 years. 
Influenza Update: After a sharp peak in flu-related hospitalizations across Ohio in December, influenza activity has slowed. Based on flu surveillance from other regions, we are anticipating the flu season to continue to have smaller peaks and valleys through the rest of the winter. In Union County, we recorded 16 flu-related hospitalizations this flu season, including three pediatric hospitalizations. We continue to encourage flu vaccination as we anticipate seeing several smaller waves of flu activity.
RSV Update: The number of cases of RSV being treated across Ohio hospitals has declined dramatically over the past several weeks.
COVID Update: New waves of Omicron variants continue to arise as expected. While we have seen a substantial decrease in hospitalizations and deaths from the height of COVID waves in 2020 and 2021, the Ohio Department of Health reports 90 Ohioans and 2,500 Americans are dying each week from COVID-19. The disease is impacting older adults the hardest. The Union County Health Department joins the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Aging in encouraging older adults to consider getting the updated bi-valent COVID-19 booster if they have not done so already. Data shows only about 38% of Ohioans age 65 and older have received the maximum protection of an updated bivalent booster.