Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department, Wheeling, WV

04/03/2026

As of April 2, 2026, 1,671 confirmed* measles cases were reported in the United States in 2026. Among these, 1,661 measles cases were reported by 33 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. A total of 10 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the United States.

There have been 17 new outbreaks** reported in 2026, and 94% of confirmed cases (1,570 of 1,671) are outbreak-associated (374 from outbreaks starting in 2026 and 1,196 from outbreaks that started in 2025).

For the full year of 2025, a total of 2,286 confirmed* measles cases were reported in the United States. Among these, 2,261 measles cases were reported by 45 jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A total of 25 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the United States.

There were 48 outbreaks** reported in 2025, and 90% of confirmed cases (2,064 of 2,286) were outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated.

*CDC is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions. However, the data on this page only includes confirmed cases jurisdictions have notified to CDC.

**CDC reports the cumulative number of measles outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) that have occurred this year in the U.S.; states have the most up-to-date information about cases and outbreaks in their jurisdictions.

04/02/2026

Medetomidine in the U.S. Illegal Fentanyl Supply Increasing Risk for Overdose and Severe Withdrawal Syndrome

Summary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in conjunction with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), is issuing this Health Advisory to notify public health professionals, clinicians, laboratorians, and people at risk for overdose about increasing reports from U.S. jurisdictions detecting medetomidine in the illegal drug supply and a severe withdrawal syndrome due to medetomidine exposure. Medetomidine (also known as 'rhino tranq,' 'mede,' or 'dex') is not approved for human use but is approved for sedation and analgesia in dogs. Its dextro-isomer, dexmedetomidine, is approved for procedural sedation in humans. Medetomidine has been increasingly detected in law enforcement drug seizures, drug product and paraphernalia samples, and in wastewater samples, with the highest concentrations in the Northeast region. Testing of illegal drug samples and clinical specimens has identified racemic mixtures of levomedetomidine and dexmedetomidine isomers without the preservatives commonly found in medical or veterinary formulations, making diversion of pharmaceutical products unlikely. Since pharmaceutical-grade products contain only dexmedetomidine, these findings suggest medetomidine is being synthesized in clandestine laboratories.

Medetomidine can cause profound sedation, bradycardia, and hypotension. Stopping medetomidine following regular use may lead to severe withdrawal, similar to clonidine withdrawal, with symptoms including hypertension, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and fluctuating alertness, that can require emergency or intensive care. Because fentanyl is involved in most overdoses involving medetomidine, opioid overdose reversal medications (OORM; e.g., naloxone) should be administered to restore normal breathing in suspected overdoses.

Public health professionals can use syndromic surveillance to detect medetomidine-related intoxication or withdrawal signs and symptoms. Public health and public safety agencies and clinicians should collaborate to monitor the local drug supply and share timely information to align clinical and public health action. Clinicians should consider medetomidine in suspected opioid overdoses with prolonged sedation unresponsive to OORM administration, consult a toxicologist or poison control at 1-800-222-1222, and report unusual cases to the appropriate health department.

04/02/2026

(04/02/26) The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department is reporting that levels of COVID-19, RSV, Influenza A (specifically H3) and Norovirus are elevated and considered HIGH in the local community. Influenza B has been detected in recent samplings and is considered LOW, as well as Human Metapneumovirus and EVD68. Rotavirus and Parvovirus are moderately elevated and considered MEDIUM in the local community. Candida auris and Measles were not detected in recent samplings. These specific diseases and their identification as elevated in the Ohio County community are made through wastewater surveillance at the City of Wheeling’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. The treatment plant serves most of Ohio County and Benwood.

04/01/2026

The City of Wheeling Water Department has issued a Boil Order on 3.31.2026 for the South Wheeling area. Affected addresses are listed below.

All of South Wheeling south of 29th St

Customers should boil water for 48 hours after service is restored. Please share this information with residents. A second notification will be sent once the boil order has been released.

03/31/2026

The City of Wheeling Water Department has issued a Boil Order on 3.31.2026 for the South Wheeling area. Affected addresses are listed below.

All of Wilson St and 63 29th St

Customers should boil water for 48 hours after service is restored. Please share this information with residents. A second notification will be sent once the boil order has been released.

03/31/2026

The City of Wheeling Water Department has issued a Boil Order on 3.31.2026 for the Edgewood area. Affected addresses are listed below.

1-15 Storch Ave (odd side only) and 162-166 Edgington Lane

Customers should boil water for 48 hours after service is restored. Please share this information with residents. A second notification will be sent once the boil order has been released.

03/31/2026

The City of Wheeling Water Department has issued a Boil Order on 3.31.2026 for the Mozart area. Affected addresses are listed below.

Ridge Ave, Short St, Pleasantview Ave, Caswell St, Richmond Ave, N Frazier Ave, 2-17 & 839-940 Frazier Run Rd, and 2 Maplewood Ave

Customers should boil water for 48 hours after service is restored. Please share this information with residents. A second notification will be sent once the boil order has been released.

03/31/2026

03/27/2026

NATIONAL MEASLES OUTBREAK CONTINUES - March 27, 2026

As of March 26, 2026, 1,575 confirmed* measles cases were reported in the United States in 2026. Among these, 1,566 measles cases were reported by 32 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. A total of 9 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the United States.

There have been 16 new outbreaks** reported in 2026, and 94% of confirmed cases (1,483 of 1,575) are outbreak-associated (359 from outbreaks starting in 2026 and 1,124 from outbreaks that started in 2025).

For the full year of 2025, a total of 2,285 confirmed* measles cases were reported in the United States. Among these, 2,260 measles cases were reported by 45 jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A total of 25 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the United States.

There were 48 outbreaks** reported in 2025, and 90% of confirmed cases (2,063 of 2,285) were outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated.

*CDC is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions. However, the data on this page only includes confirmed cases jurisdictions have notified to CDC.

**CDC reports the cumulative number of measles outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) that have occurred this year in the U.S.; states have the most up-to-date information about cases and outbreaks in their jurisdictions.

03/26/2026

The City of Wheeling Water Department has issued a Boil Order on 3.26.2026 for the Springdale area. Affected addresses are listed below.

All of Glessner Place

Customers should boil water for 48 hours after service is restored. Please share this information with residents. A second notification will be sent once the boil order has been released.

03/26/2026

(03/26/26) The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department is reporting that levels of Norovirus, COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza A (specifically H3), are elevated and considered HIGH in the local community. Influenza B has been detected in recent samplings and is considered LOW, as well as Human Metapneumovirus and Parvovirus. Candida auris and Measles were not detected in recent samplings. These specific diseases and their identification as elevated in the Ohio County community are made through wastewater surveillance at the City of Wheeling’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. The treatment plant serves most of Ohio County and Benwood.

03/24/2026

The Ohio County PSD has issued a Boil Order on 03.24.2026 for the Stone Church Road area of Ohio County. Affected addresses are listed below.

Starting on Stone Church Road, Reservoir Road up to and including the Stone Church VFD, also 124-194 View Point Lane.

A water line break occured and is being repaired. Customers should boil water for 48 hours after service is restored. Please share this information with residents. A second notification will be sent once the boil order has been released. For more information call the Ohio County PSD at (3040 547-5133.