The Marshall County Health Department (MCHD) has been alerted by the Indiana Health Alert Network pertaining to a confirmed measles exposure that has been identified in Indianapolis. An individual was travelling through Indiana and later was found to be a confirmed measles case. The Indiana State Department of Health and Marion County Public Health Department are investigating the exposure. Two locations have been identified with potential exposure. The locations and dates are Monday, March 18th from midnight until 2 p.m. at the Microtel Inn & suites at 5815 Rockville Road in Indianapolis and Shapiro’s Delicatessen at 808 Meridian Street, that same date from noon till 2:15 p.m.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that is found in the nose and throat secretions of an infected person. Secondary cases would occur from March 25th to April 8th. Measles virus is extremely contagious and is spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Measles virus can remain viable for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed. Symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure and include fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis. Around the fourth day of illness, fever increases and a rash appears on the face or near the hairline and spreads downward and outward to the rest of the body. This rash usually lasts about 4 or 5 days before slowly fading in the same order it appeared. Patients infected with measles are considered most infectious between approximately four days before rash onset through four days after rash onset. Anyone who develops measles symptoms should stay home and immediately call a healthcare provider. Although most people who develop measles will completely resolve infection, serious complications can occur, including pneumonia and encephalitis. Measles disease is unlikely to present with altered/mild or no symptoms in vaccinated persons.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to protect against measles. Children and adults who are not immunized or are not up-to-date with immunization should receive MMR vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine are considered about 97% effective (range 67%-100%) in preventing measles infection.
MCHD is advising individuals who cannot find record of their immunization or are not up todate on their MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine should contact their healthcare provider to discuss receiving the MMR vaccine. For further information about this release or the MCHD immunization clinic, call 574-935-8565 option 1 or visit the website atwww.co.marshall.in.us.
