Indiana is fighting a surge in measles as cases spike to 145

Key Points:

• Measles cases in Indiana have surged over 400% recently, with 145 confirmed cases across more than 20 counties as of November 9, contributing to a nationwide rise of over 5,000 cases this year.
• Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis has begun screening all visitors for measles symptoms for the first time to protect vulnerable patients, including infants too young for vaccination and immunocompromised children.
• Low vaccination rates, particularly in counties like LaGrange where only 74% of kindergarteners have received the MMR vaccine, are believed to be driving the outbreak, falling short of the 95% herd immunity threshold.
• Measles is highly contagious, spreading through airborne transmission and capable of infecting up to 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus; symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash.
• The MMR vaccine remains the most effective prevention method, with two doses providing 97% protection; health officials urge vaccination and caution for those exhibiting symptoms to avoid spreading the disease.