Niki Kelly
Indiana Capital Chronicle
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 reportedly working together to confirm any additional cases.
The patient is stable and recovering, and officials said 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.
Across the Ohio border, over a dozen people have contracted the highly infectious virus — including one most recently in Allen County, Ohio. Neighboring Kentucky has also reported a small number of cases.
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, though the risk to the general public is low.
Because measles is so easily spread, a single case is considered an outbreak, the state health agency said. When infected people sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air. Those droplets remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.
More than 93% of people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to measles, and more than 97 percent 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 up to date. 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 going to kindergarten. Children as young as 6 months old can receive the measles vaccine if they are at risk.
Symptoms
Measles begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes roughly seven to 14 days after exposure, though symptoms can emerge up to three weeks later. Fevers can reach up to 105 degrees but one of the earliest signs are Koplik spots, or tiny white bumps inside of the mouth.
Following that, a rash may form along the hairline and on the face before spreading down the back and torso and to the limbs. After about five days, the rash typically fades in the same order.
What you can do
The state health department urges Hoosiers experiencing symptoms to stay home and call their health provider before going to the doctor’s office. Those with the measles should stay home and away from others, especially vulnerable populations like unvaccinated infants, people who are immunocompromised and pregnant women.
To learn more, visit the IDOH website or the CDC website.
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