Health authorities reported Indiana’s first measles case April 7 amid a national outbreak.
The case is an unvaccinated minor from Allen County, a northeastern part of the state that includes Fort Wayne. The patient is stable and recovering, according to the Indiana Department of Health, which is investigating whether there are additional cases.
No measles cases have been reported in Marion County.
Indiana joined at least 21 other states facing outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with 607 cases confirmed across the country in early April.
What is measles?
Measles was once thought to be eliminated in the United States through vaccination.
The highly contagious respiratory disease can cause severe complications or death, especially in young children.
It spreads when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs, and can remain in the air for up to two hours, according to epidemiologists.
That’s why Indianapolis Public Schools asked students to get vaccinated in March before spring break. IPS said about 1,130 students in district-managed schools do not have a measles vaccination on file.
More on Measles
Measles vaccination
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from measles. The CDC recommends every person in the U.S. receives two doses of the MMR vaccine as children, which also protects mumps and rubella.
Most people received their shots as children — but if you believe you are missing a dose, you can check your vaccination records or go to your primary care doctor for a blood test that will show if you are fully protected.
If you need the vaccine, you can make an appointment at your local health department or check with your child’s pediatrician.
But like many states, Indiana allows parents to opt out of required school vaccinations for religious or medical reasons.
Anti-vaccine sentiment is growing here, doctors say, due to mistrust and misinformation from the COVID-19 pandemic.
About 85% of Marion County’s kindergarteners were vaccinated for measles during the last school year, state health department data shows — a rate below the CDC’s recommended 95% vaccination rate for herd immunity.
Symptoms of measles usually begin 10 to 14 days after exposure; they include a high fever, cough, runny nose and full body rash. Severe cases can require hospitalization and lead to pneumonia and brain swelling.
Public health officials raise the alarm
The Marion County Public Health Department did not immediately respond to Mirror Indy’s request for comment about Indiana’s first case. But Dr. Virginia Caine, the agency’s chief medical officer, previously joined local schools in raising alarm about the disease.
“Parents, get your kids immunized,” Caine said during a March 27 virtual town hall with U.S. Rep. André Carson. “We’re just a plane ride away.”
Indiana’s first case comes as the Trump administration cut millions in public health funding from the state, including federal grants supporting Marion County’s vaccination program.
A spokesperson said the loss would not “immediately impact” the health department’s ability to provide recommended vaccines for children and adults in Indianapolis; the agency is evaluating how to cover the loss of the grants and future funding.
Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy covers health. Reach her at 317-721-7648 or email maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @mcmolloy7.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
