Because of how contagious measles is, just one infection is considered an outbreak.

What Is Measles?

According to the CDC, many people think that measles is nothing but a rash and fever that eventually goes away, but the consequences of this virus can be quite severe. Children under the age of 5 are especially at risk for complications from having measles and developing other issues due to this virus. There are a host of other health problems this virus can cause, including ear infections and diarrhea, but the virus can also cause more severe health complications like pneumonia and encephalitis.

How Contagious is Measles?

The problem with the measles is just how contagious the virus is.  According to the CDC, if one person has measles out of ten people, 9 out of those 10 people nearby will become infected if they aren't protected.  The best way to protect yourself against measles is through the MMR vaccine. 

Indiana's First Confirmed Measles Case

The Indiana Department of Health recently (IDOH) shared that Indiana now has its first laboratory-confirmed case of measles. The infected person is a child from Allen County, Indiana.  According to the IDOH, the infected person is an unvaccinated minor, and they are currently recovering. Because of how contagious this virus is, one single case is considered an outbreak.

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.

In a news release, the IDOH says that the risk to the general public is low, but the virus is very easily spread, and wants to remind people that as of April 3r,d the CDC has reported more than 600 cases 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.

More than 93 percent 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.

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It's recommended that you check with your doctor to make sure you are up to date on your MMR vaccine.

What are the Symptoms of Measles?

Meales starts with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, then white spots may appear inside the mouth, and after a couple of days, the rash starts.  Eventually, the rash spreads all over the body. The IDOH has more information on symptoms here.  They also say that if you experience these symptoms, you need to stay home and call your healthcare provider right away. They say you should not go into the office before calling and describing your symptoms so you don't risk infecting more people.