By ASHLEY FOWLER
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
The Indiana Department of Health on Friday confirmed a case of measles in Lake County, marking the state’s first measles case in five years.
IDOH says the risk to the public is low, but it continues to investigate the case along with local public health officials. No other information will be released to protect patient privacy.
“Measles is easily spread and can be serious, especially for young children. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the United States who get measles is hospitalized, and 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become sick,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver said in a release. “This case is a good reminder that you are at risk if you haven’t been vaccinated.”
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is rare in the U.S. due to the availability of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, but visitors from other countries or U.S. citizens traveling abroad can become infected.
More than 93 percent of people who receive a single dose of MMR vaccine will develop immunity to measles, IDOH says, and more than 97 percent will be protected after receiving a second dose. Two doses of the vaccine are needed to be fully protected.
People born before 1957 are presumed to be immune to measles.
Recognize the symptoms
Measles begins with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes usually one to two weeks after exposure to the virus, but it can occur up to 21 days. The fever increases, sometimes as high as 105 degrees. Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.
Two to four days after symptoms begin, a rash starts on the hairline and face. It spreads down the back and trunk and extends to the arms, hands, legs, and feet. After about five days, the rash fades in the same order in which it appeared.
What you can do
If you are experience measles symptoms, stay home and call your healthcare provider right away before going to a doctor’s office. If you are ill with measles, stay home and away from others, especially unvaccinated infants, people with diseases affecting their immune systems and pregnant women.
Visit the IDOH website or the CDC website for more information about measles and MMR vaccination.