Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department

Potential Measles Exposure Notice

October 20, 2026

 

WHEELING, WV – The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department has been informed that an individual who was at the WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital Emergency Department on October 17, 2026 has tested positive for measles. The individual is not from Ohio County or West Virginia. For privacy reasons, the department cannot provide additional details about the individual.

Wheeling Hospital and/or the County Health Department will be calling patients/staff who have been identified as exposed on this day with further instructions.

Individuals who are not vaccinated are most at-risk for infection. The WOCHD advises any individual in the exposure area who does has not had two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine to call their healthcare provider for next steps. It is very important for individuals who think they may have been exposed to not directly go to a healthcare facility without calling ahead. For anyone that is unsure, the WOCHD recommends they check their vaccination status. Individuals who have received only one dose of the vaccine, instead of the recommended two doses, may still be susceptible to the virus.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs and spreads when an infected person breaths, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, even after the infected person leaves the area.

Symptoms to watch for include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the head or face and spreads downward. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. An individual with measles can spread the virus to others four days before and four days after the rash begins.

People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider. Residents of Ohio County who are concerned about a potential exposure can contact the WOCHD at (304) 234-3682.

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is given to toddlers when they are 12 to 15 months of age, and a second MMR vaccine is required for all West Virginia & Pennsylvania school children.

The Health Department recommends that any person who is due for measles vaccination make arrangements to receive it from their medical provider.  Persons without health insurance may receive the vaccine at the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department.  There is no risk in getting an additional dose of the MMR vaccine for individuals who are uncertain but may have already received it.