INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is reporting the first laboratory-confirmed case of measles in Indiana this year. The case involves an unvaccinated minor in Allen County, and state and local public health officials are working together on the investigation and to confirm any additional cases.
The patient is stable and recovering, and no other information will be released to protect patient privacy. This is the first case in Indiana since measles was confirmed in a Lake County resident in early 2024.
While the risk to the general public is low, measles is an easily spread respiratory disease caused by a virus. As of April 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a total of 607 confirmed cases in 22 jurisdictions across the United States.
Because measles is so easily spread, a single case is considered an outbreak. When infected people sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air. Those droplets remain infective in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.
Over 93% of people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to measles, and more than 97% will be protected after receiving a second dose. Two doses of the vaccine are needed to be fully protected. Individuals are encouraged to check with their healthcare providers to ensure vaccinations are current. Individuals born before 1957 are presumed to be immune to measles.
Children are routinely vaccinated for measles at 12-15 months, and again at 4-6 years of age before kindergarten, but kids as young as six months old can get the measles vaccine if they are at risk.
Symptoms
Measles begins with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, usually about 7 to 14 days after exposure to measles, but can occur up to 21 days. The fever increases and can get as high as 105 degrees. Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin. Then, two to four days after symptoms begin, a rash starts on the hairline and face. It spreads down the back and torso, and then extends to the arms, hands, legs, and feet. After about five days, the rash fades in the same order in which it appeared.
What you can do
If you are experiencing the symptoms of measles, stay home and call your healthcare provider right away before going to the doctor’s office. Be prepared to describe your symptoms and alert your doctor if you think you have been in contact with an infected person. If you are ill with measles, stay home and away from others, especially unvaccinated infants, people with diseases affecting their immune systems, and pregnant women.
Visit the IDOH website or the CDC website for more information about measles.
