INDIANAPOLIS—State health officials have confirmed a case of measles in Central Indiana.
The Indiana State Department of Health is working with local health departments and health care providers to identify additional cases of measles, and to prevent further transmission of the disease.
The case does not appear to be related to the measles outbreak among the Amish community in Ohio.
Individuals who visited the following Central Indiana locations on the dates and times provided may have been exposed:
- July 17, 1:45 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.
St. Vincent Immediate Care Center
10801 N. Michigan Road, Suite 110
Zionsville, IN 46077
*This Center shares a waiting room with other physicians.
- July 18, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Ocean World Restaurant
1206 86th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46260
- July 19, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
July 22, 10 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.
St. Vincent Carmel Hospital Emergency Department
13500 N. Meridian St.
Carmel, IN 46032
- July 20, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
July 21, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
St. Vincent Outpatient Treatment Center
11455 N. Meridian St., Suite 210
Carmel, IN 46032
St. Vincent Carmel Hospital, St. Vincent Outpatient Treatment Center and St. Vincent Immediate Care Center are contacting staff and patients who may have been exposed. Most people will have been immunized against measles as a child. Individuals born before 1957 are presumed to be immune to measles. Hoosiers unsure about vaccination history should check with their healthcare provider or visit www.MyVaxIndiana.in.gov to access official immunization records as recorded in the Children and Hoosier Immunization Registry Program (CHIRP).
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It is rare in the United States due to the widespread availability of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, however visitors from other countries or U.S. citizens traveling abroad can become infected before or during travel.
More than 95 percent of people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to measles, and more than 99 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 health care providers to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date.
Children are routinely vaccinated for measles at 1 year of age, and again at 4-6 years of age before going to kindergarten, but children as young as 6 months old can receive the measles vaccine if they are at risk.
Measles begins with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes about 7 to 10 days after exposure. The fever increases and can get as high as 105 degrees. Two to four days later, a rash starts on the face and upper neck. It spreads down the back and trunk, and then extends to the arms and hands, as well as the legs and feet. After about five days, the rash fades the same order in which it appeared.
Measles is highly contagious. When infected persons sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air. Those droplets remain active and contagious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of measles, stay home and call your doctor.
