POWELL — The Delaware Public Health District is investigating a possible measles exposure after a suspected case traveled in Powell.
The Health District announced Friday there was a possible exposure at Kraft House No. 5, located at 5 South Liberty St., on Oct. 4 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
There is no ongoing risk of exposure outside of the identified timeframe, according to a statement from the DPHD.
DPHD is working closely with the facility, the Ohio Department of Health and other local health districts to notify residents who may have been exposed, according to the statement.
In response to this potential exposure, Kraft House No. 5 posted the following statement on its Facebook page:
“The health and safety of our guests, staff, and community are always our top priority. We have been working with the local Health Department and have taken all necessary steps and followed all guidance provided to us to help ensure the health and safety of everyone who walks through our doors.”
In a follow up post from Kraft House No. 5, management said, “We are happy to share that our entire staff is fully vaccinated, and no one who worked during the time in question is exhibiting any symptoms.”
The restaurant remains open at this time.
Owner Kliton Gjergji said the restaurant did not close because the health department said they could remain open.
Gjergji also said the DPHD did not inform him of the exposure until Thursday evening, four days after the exposure happened on Sunday.
What to do if you were at Kraft House No. 5 during that time
Anyone who was at the facility during the time period should monitor for symptoms of measles for 21 days.
“Measles typically begins with high fever, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash may appear starting on the face and spreading downward over the body,” the DPHD said.
Symptoms of measles generally appear about 7-14 days after a person is exposed but can occur up to 21 days later.
Anyone who develops symptoms should stay home, avoid contact with others and call their healthcare provider before visiting a medical office or hospital to allow the facility to take appropriate precautions to prevent further spread.
The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed. Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the rash appears.
If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected.
How to prevent a measles case
The DPHD said the best prevention against measles is the MMR vaccine.
“The MMR vaccine is widely used, safe and effective. If you are unsure if you have been vaccinated, speak to your healthcare provider or call the Health District at 740-203-2040,” the department said.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends all children get two doses of MMR vaccine, the first dose should be between the ages of 12-15 months old and the second dose at 4-6 years old.
Adults who do not have evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Individuals born before 1957 are generally considered to have immunity to measles through previous exposure.
The Health District offers walk-in appointments for MMR vaccination at the following location and times:
- Location: 470 S. Sandusky St., Delaware
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.
As of Oct. 8, 4,080 confirmed measles cases were reported in the United States in 2026, according to the CDC. Of those confirmed cases, 146 came from Ohio.
