Cincinnati public health officials are urging attendees of the March 8 “Disney on Ice” show at the Heritage Bank Center to fill out a form to help with contact tracing. The form will allow officials to identify individuals who may have been near someone diagnosed with an infectious disease, such as measles, and track the spread of the disease. Arminda Allen, a nursing supervisor for the health department, is encouraging all attendees to use the form to request resources such as information and measles testing.
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, red eyes, and a rash as the disease progresses. Allen mentioned that individuals who report symptoms consistent with measles through the form can expect a same-day response from the city health department. Residents in need of immediate assistance can call the city’s disease helpline during business hours or after 5 p.m. The form is particularly targeted towards individuals most at risk of contracting measles, such as infants or those who are unvaccinated, as well as those who work in high-risk settings like schools, daycares, or healthcare facilities.
It is worth noting that while there was no reported case of measles in Cincinnati in 2024 according to public health officials, there were already 58 cases nationwide by March 14th according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least five of these cases were reported in Ohio. This highlights the importance of taking precautions against spreading infectious diseases like measles when attending large events like Disney on Ice shows.
