WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WSYX) — A recent measles exposure tied to a student returning from spring break has Franklin County public health officials warning families to be on alert as more Central Ohio schools prepare to travel in the coming weeks.

Franklin County Public Health officials said they are on high alert after the exposure in Westerville. The county has seen 14 measles cases since the start of the new year.

This is a preventable disease.

Dr. Myshika Roberts, health commissioner for Columbus Public Health, said the rise in cases is frustrating.

“I feel like we’re going backwards when we really should be going forwards and this is just one disease,” Roberts said.

Otterbein University confirmed the student did not go onto campus during or after spring break. Franklin County Public Health said the student did go to a CVS on Cleveland Avenue, prompting a public health alert.

With more districts and schools across Central Ohio going on vacation in the coming weeks, FCPH is concerned about more infections.

“There could be additional cases that are going to be forthcoming,” said Alexandria Jones, assistant health commissioner and director of prevention and wellness for Franklin County Public Health. “So, what are those preemptive steps that you can take?”

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Some school leaders are looking to lessons learned from a previous exposure. New Albany Plain Local Schools said that during an exposure last October, the district began contact tracing and shut down the Early Learning Center for cleaning.

Jones noted that measles can linger in the air. “We know measles is a pathogen that is in the air for up to two hours post-exposure. So, that is a long length of time,” she said.

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The district said that before anyone could return to the classroom, they had to provide proof they got their MMR vaccines. Superintendent Michael Sawyer urged families to check their records.

“Does mom or dad still have your baby book? Do you have your vaccine card?” Sawyer said. “And if not, go get a single dose of the MMR based upon the recommendation from Franklin County Public Health.”

Sawyer said the experience changed how the district approaches health issues in schools.

“When we went to school to be educators, I didn’t go to school to be a health official, but I’ve learned a lot about health related matters based upon what’s happened in our world,” he said. “I think sharing that information is critical to the success of all students in their safety and welfare.”

Health officials warned that measles symptoms, including fever and rash, can develop seven to 21 days after exposure. Anyone who is sick should stay home and immediately contact a health care provider.