Indiana Confirms First Measles Case in Five Years

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) says it has confirmed the first case of measles in the state since 2019 in Northwest Indiana. A news release said the case in Lake County and the risk to the public is low but IDOH continues to investigate the case along with local health officials. The virus is highly contagious. Health officials say measles symptoms begin seven to 14 days after someone was exposed and include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes and a red rash that starts typically on the face and spreads. A news release also said vaccination clinics offering free measles, mumps and rubella or MMR, vaccination for people older than one year will be held at the Gary Health Department, East Chicago Health Department, and Jean Shepard Community Center in Hammond. The clinics are all 3-7 p.m. CT Wednesday, February 28, 2024.  Here is a link for more details. The public may call the IDOH information center at 1-800-382-1563 from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. EST Monday through Friday with any questions and can also visit the IDOH website or the CDC website for more information about measles.