BOWLING GREEN—The Wood County Health Department has confirmed one case of measles in Bowling Green, and says the infected person visited several locations while contagious, including Bowling Green State University, Pagliai's Restaurant, the Wood County Hospital Emergency Department and Falcon Health Center. Anyone who was at those places during the listed times may have been exposed, the department said in a September 29 media release.


Exposure Sites


According to the health department, anyone at the following locations during these times may have been exposed to measles:

  • Bowling Green State University, September 23, in the Overman and/or Physical Science buildings (the release does not give times)
  • Pagliai's Restaurant, September 23, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Wood County Hospital Emergency Department, September 24 from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on September 25
  • Wood County Hospital Emergency Department, September 25, 6:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
  • Falcon Health Center, September 28, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The department asks anyone who was at these locations during these times to fill out its Measles Close Contact Investigation Form, which is linked from woodcountyhealth.org and the department's social media page.

The health department said most people in the community are protected through vaccination and the overall risk to the public remains low.


Who Is Considered Protected


According to the release, a person is considered protected (immune) if they have one of the following:

  • They were born before 1957
  • They have documentation of at least one dose of MMR vaccine (the department notes two doses are recommended to be considered fully immune)
  • They have ever had measles diagnosed by a healthcare provider

The department recommends measles vaccination for anyone age 1 and older who may be unvaccinated. It says children should get the MMR vaccine at 12–15 months and again at 4–6 years, with earlier doses (as young as 6 months) sometimes recommended in special circumstances such as travel or outbreaks, and advises checking with a healthcare provider with any questions.


What to Do If You Were Exposed


The health department's guidance for people who were at an exposure location:

  • If you are protected: your risk is very low. Monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure.
  • If you are not protected or unsure: call your healthcare provider as soon as possible. You may be eligible for post-exposure vaccination to reduce risk, which must be received within 72 hours after exposure. Watch for symptoms for the next 21 days.
  • If you develop illness with fever or unexplained rash: call ahead before going to a doctor, urgent care or ER, and limit contact with others to prevent the spread of illness.

The department said symptoms in people who are not immune would likely appear within 21 days, and that people with weakened immune systems may take longer to show symptoms. For the latest exposure listed, on September 28, that 21-day window runs to October 19.


About Measles


The health department describes measles as an acute, highly contagious viral disease. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and rash. Although it is usually considered a childhood disease, measles can be contracted at any age, the department said.

The release lists Katlin Medjesky as the department's contact, at 419-367-5003 or kmedjesky@woodcountyohiohealth.gov. More information is at woodcountyhealth.org.


Sources: Wood County Health Department media release, Sept. 29, 2026 · Wood County Health Department website