COLUMBUS, Ohio — Health officials are warning that passengers at John Glenn Columbus International Airport may have been exposed to measles on February 18, 2026, prompting monitoring advice for those who were present during a specific window.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) announced the potential exposure occurred between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. that day. Unvaccinated individuals who were at the airport during those hours should watch for symptoms through March 11, 2026. Vaccinated people face low risk of infection.
Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash. Anyone developing these signs should isolate from others and contact a healthcare provider promptly.
This alert follows confirmation of six measles cases among children in Franklin County since early February. Five cases stem from an outbreak in two households, while the sixth involves international travel and links to the airport exposure. All affected children were either unvaccinated or had received only one dose of the vaccine.
ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff emphasized vaccination’s role in prevention. Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provide 97% effectiveness. The first dose is recommended between 12 and 15 months of age, with the second between 4 and 6 years old.
“These most recent cases highlight the critical importance of everyone being up to date with their vaccines, due to the risk of potential exposure anytime we are in large, indoor public venues, such as airports,” Vanderhoff stated. “Measles can be very serious for children, and it is preventable.”
Ohio has recorded nine measles cases in 2026 so far, compared to 45 in 2025. These Franklin County cases are unrelated to an earlier outbreak reported in Cuyahoga County in January.
For south central Ohio residents who traveled through or plan to use the Columbus airport, checking vaccination status is advisable, especially for families with young children. More details on measles and vaccination are available through the Ohio Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This situation underscores ongoing public health efforts to maintain high vaccination rates amid travel-related risks.
