5 new measles cases confirmed in Indiana

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Five new measles cases were confirmed Wednesday in Indiana, the state health department said.

Three kids and two adults in Allen County, in northeast Indiana on the Ohio border, according to the Indiana Department of Health. Another case in the state was confirmed Monday in Allen County. IDOH said all six cases are connected to each other, though officials don't yet know if there's a link between them and the hundreds of cases found in other states.

The four kids were unvaccinated, and the adults' vaccination status is unknown, IDOH said. All are recovering well, officials said.

These are the first measles cases in Indiana since 2024, when a confirmed case was found in Lake County. As of April 3, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 607 confirmed measles cases across the country.

Measles is an easily spread respiratory disease caused by a virus, spread though the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Droplets can remain in the air and on surfaces for two hours.

Symptoms of measles include a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes that occur seven to 14 days, but can happen up to 21 days, after exposure to the virus. Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots can start to show inside the mouth. A rash may also start to form on the body.

If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away before going into the office. Explain your symptoms and tell the doctor if you have come into contact with someone infected.

If you do get the measles, stay home and away from other people, especially unvaccinated babies, pregnant women and people who are autoimmune.

According to the Indiana Department of Health, 93% of people who receive a single dose of the MMR vaccination with develop an immunity to the virus, and more than 97% of people are protected from it after the second dose. Two doses are needed of the vaccine to be fully protected. Children between 12-15 months usually receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine, with the second dose administered around four to six years of age or when entering kindergarten.

Indiana health officials report first measles case of 2025