Infectious Diseases

Columbus Public Health helps stop the spread of disease in our community by tracking and investigating infectious diseases and providing guidance and monitoring to affected individuals.

Learn more about how to report an illness. 

Columbus Public Health offers testing, treatment and prevention options for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

Learn more about our HIV and STI services. 

Measles

In 2026, Columbus Public Health investigated a local measles outbreak with six confirmed cases. 

Measles is very contagious (easy to spread) and can cause serious illness. Measles is caused by a virus and spreads very easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles spreads so easily that anyone who is exposed and not immune (either by being immunized or having had measles in the past) will probably get it. 

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is very safe, effective and the best protection against measles.

About Measles

Measles is one of the most contagious (easy to spread) diseases and can be dangerous in babies and young children. 

The symptoms of measles include a fever, runny nose, cough, rash and red eyes. If you have these symptoms, call your doctor or Columbus Public Health – and stay home and avoid having visitors until you see a doctor.

Measles Vaccine: The best way to protect against measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine which is safe and very effective at preventing measles. Children may get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine instead, which protects against chickenpox too. 

Most people who are vaccinated with MMR and MMRV will be protected for life. Vaccines and high rates of vaccination have made these diseases much less common in the United States.

Measles FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• Measles FAQ - English(PDF, 203KB)  
• Measles FAQ - Arabic(PDF, 234KB)
• Measles FAQ - French(PDF, 204KB)
• Measles FAQ - Haitian Creole(PDF, 200KB)
• Measles FAQ - Russian(PDF, 293KB)
• Measles FAQ - Somali(PDF, 202KB)
• Measles FAQ - Spanish(PDF, 202KB)
• Measles FAQ - Ukrainian(PDF, 297KB)

Potential Exposure Sites

Anyone who is unvaccinated and at the location(s) listed below, should watch for signs and symptoms through the date listed.

Where to Get the Measles Vaccine

The best way to protect against measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children may get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine instead, which protects against chickenpox too. 

Most people who are vaccinated with MMR and MMRV will be protected for life. Vaccines and high rates of vaccination have made these diseases much less common in the United States.

Get your MMR vaccine from:

• Your health care provider
• Columbus Public Health - (614) 645-1474, option 2
• Franklin County Public Health - (614) 525-3719
• Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers - (614) 235-5555
• Lower Lights Christian Health Center - (614) 274-1455
• Lutheran Social Services (Faith Mission Health Center) - (614) 224-6617
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital Primary Care Centers - (614) 722-6200
• PrimaryOne Health Centers - (614) 645-5500
• Southeast Healthcare Services - (614) 225-0990
• A retail pharmacy or convenience care clinic (e.g. Walmart, CVS, etc.)

Prevent Measles Information Card

• Prevent Measles - English(PDF, 352KB)   
• Prevent Measles - Arabic(PDF, 329KB)
• Prevent Measles - Haitian Creole(PDF, 270KB)
• Prevent Measles - Russian(PDF, 366KB)
• Prevent Measles - Somali(PDF, 271KB)
• Prevent Measles - Spanish(PDF, 273KB)
• Prevent Measles - Ukrainian(PDF, 393KB)

Measles Data

National Measles Data

Visit the CDC's Measles Cases and Outbreaks for data and information about current cases and outbreaks in the United States.  

Click here to view data from Central Ohio's 2022 Measles Outbreak (Best viewed on a laptop or desktop).

Healthcare Providers & Businesses

Infectious Disease Reporting for Healthcare Providers

The Infectious Disease Reporting System is the combined infectious disease reporting system for health care provided in Franklin County, including the City of Columbus. The Columbus and Franklin County Public Health agencies have joined forces to make the reporting, tracking and investigation of infectious disease cases easier and more convenient. Visit IDRS for more information.

Measles Outbreak Signs

• Measles Outbreak Sign for Healthcare Providers - English(PDF, 123KB)  
• Measles Outbreak Sign for Businesses - English(PDF, 216KB)  
• Measles Outbreak Sign for Businesses - Spanish(PDF, 199KB)
• Measles Outbreak Sign for Businesses - Somali(PDF, 147KB) 

Columbus Public Health's Ben Franklin TB Program conducts TB surveillance, medical management, and prevention and control for Franklin County, including: 

• Treatment and case management of persons confirmed with or thought to have TB disease.
• Evaluation, testing and treatment of persons identified as close contacts to a person with infectious TB.
• Screening, testing and treatment of specific groups at high-risk for TB infection and/or disease progression.
• Evaluation of persons referred by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Global Migration and Quarantine.

Individuals seeking routine or administrative testing for housing or employment, including workers in health care, should contact their primary care provider.

Questions? Call 614-645-2199.

To report a TB case, call 614-645-1823 or email TBprogram@columbus.gov. 

Vaccines: Columbus Public Health has a limited supply of the updated COVID-19 vaccine for people without insurance at our walk-in Immunization Clinic during normal hours. If you have insurance, you are encouraged to check with your health care provider or visit your local retail pharmacy to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. 

Testing: COVID-19 testing is available at health care providers and pharmacies throughout central Ohio. Testing helps protect yourself, your loved ones and the community from the virus.

Data and Reports:

• Columbus Public Health (CPH) - Interactive reports on COVID-19 cases, including data on age, race, sex, hospitalizations and ZIP codes. (Best viewed on a laptop or desktop.)
•  Ohio Department of Health (ODH) - COVID-19 data from the Ohio Department of Health. 
•  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - COVID-19 data from the CDC.

More Information and Resources: Download information and materials on COVID-19 at the CDC COVID-19 Resource Page.