Upward Trend Of Measles Cases In U.S.

International travel is one reason why health officials say a measles outbreak in the Philippines is beginning to appear in the United States.

The number of reported cases remain relatively small domestically but health officials fear it could increase.

The Ohio Department of Health is currently investigating several suspected cases of measles in central Ohio that are linked to unvaccinated travelers who returned to the state from the Philippines.

The highly contagious respiratory disease is caused by a virus that is easily spread. Symptoms of the measles usually appear a week after exposure. The disease is highly contagious and can be transmitted from four days prior to the onset of the rash to four days after the onset. Anyone who is not immunized and gets exposed to the disease has a high likelihood of getting ill.

The Indiana Department of Health have not released information regarding any cases of measles this year. Officials say the virus can be prevented by the MMR vaccine.