The Marshall County Health Department has issued a news release about a potential measles exposure that reportedly occurred during the month of March. Measles is a highly contagious virus that is found in the nose and throat secretions of an infected person.
According to the MCHD, the Indiana Health Alert Network shared that a confirmed measles exposure has been identified in Indianapolis. An individual that was travelling through Indiana was later found to be a confirmed measles case.
The Indiana State Department of Health and Marion County Public Health Department are investigating the exposure and identified two locations and dates of potential exposure.
The locations and dates are as follows:
- Microtel Inn & Suites – 5815 Rockville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46241
- Monday, March 18, from 12 am – 2 pm
- Shapiro’s Delicatessen – 808 Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46225
- Monday, March 18, from 12 pm – 2:15 pm
The measles virus is extremely contagious and is spread to others through coughing and sneezing. The virus can remain viable for up to two hours in
The Marshall County Health Department notes that 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 maculopapular 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.
Health officials report that patients who are infected with the virus 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 otitis media, pneumonia and encephalitis. Measles disease is unlikely to present with altered/mild or no symptoms in vaccinated people.
Marshall County Health Administrator Christine Stinson shared that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to protect against measles. Stinson added that children and adults who are not immunized or are not up-to-date with immunization should receive the MMR vaccine.
In the alert issued by the health department, Stinson mentioned that two doses of the MMR vaccine are considered to be about 97% effective (range 67%-100%) in preventing measles infection.
The MCHD is advising individuals who cannot find a record of their immunization or those who are not up to date on their MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine to contact their healthcare provider to discuss receiving the MMR vaccine.
For additional information about the news release issued by the Marshall County Health Department or to find out more about their immunization clinic, call 574-935-8565.
