Two more measles cases confirmed in Allen County

UPDATE (April 22, 2025):

The number of measles cases confirmed in Allen County is now up to eight. Two more cases were confirmed Monday by the Allen County Department of Health, and both are connected to the first six.

One is an unvaccinated minor, and the other is an adult with an unknown vaccination status. No other information was released.

The Allen County Department of Health released the following:

The Allen County Department of Health confirms two additional local cases of measles, bringing the total number of cases in Allen County to eight.

The additional patients are one unvaccinated minor and one adult with unknown vaccination status. All are recovering and related to the previously identified outbreak. No other identifying information about the patients will be released due to state and federal privacy concerns.

These confirmations – as with the previous six cases of measles in Allen County this year – come as part of an ongoing investigation being conducted with the Indiana Department of Health.

“All eight cases are connected to each other, and because of that the risk to the community is low,” said Department Administrator Mindy Waldron. “Additional cases were not unexpected, due to this exposure. At this time, there are also no known links to outbreaks in other states.”

Immunization remains the best defense against measles, which is highly contagious and can lead to severe health problems. Vaccinations are widely available from most primary health care providers and Super Shot. The Allen County Department of Health also offers vaccines for measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases at its Medical Annex, 4813 New Haven Ave. Appointments can be made at (260) 449-7504.

Measles symptoms often appear 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, though some might appear sooner. A red, blotchy rash is typically the most visible symptom, and that appears three to five days after exposure.

Symptoms include:

• Rash
• High fever
• Sore throat
• Small white spots inside cheeks
• Red, watery eyes
• Cough
• Runny nose

Anyone experiencing symptoms should stay home and contact their health care provider immediately. Those with concerns about possible exposure can contact the Allen County Department of Health at (260) 449-7556.

Measles is spread when someone who is infected sneezes or coughs, sending droplets into the air. It can lead to serious health problems, particularly in children younger than 5. Effects of measles include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), severe hearing loss and even death.

Information about measles is available on the Indiana Department of Health website, as well as from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

UPDATE (April 10, 2025):

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Health officials in Allen County and the Indiana Department of Health have confirmed five more measles cases following the single case confirmed on Monday. The measles cases are in three unvaccinated minors and two adults with their vaccine status unknown.

(See the full release from the Indiana Department of Health below)

Health officials say two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine is 97-percent effective in preventing measles.

Super Shot will now offer free vaccine clinic for those who are not protected or unsure of their status.

Health officials in neighboring counties are warning of possible measles exposures. Garrett Keyser Butler Community Schools posted on Facebook that the district has been exposed to the measles. Students and staff who are at the highest risk have been notified.

Michigan has now confirmed its fourth case. The Mid-Michigan District Health Department says the person recently traveled out-of-state, but details about where they went and when they traveled have not been released. The other three measles cases are in Kent, Macomb, and Oakland counties.

The IDOH released the following:

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) has confirmed five additional cases of measles in Indiana, bringing the total to six in 2025. The newly reported cases are three minors and two adults in Allen County. The initial case was reported earlier this week. All six cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states. The four minors were unvaccinated and the adults’ vaccination status is unclear. All are recovering well.

State and local public health officials are working together on the investigation to contact those with known exposure to help prevent further spread of infection. The risk to the general public remains low.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads easily from person to person. It is an airborne disease, meaning it spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus can stay alive in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Because measles is so easily spread, a single case is considered an outbreak.

Two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles. Individuals born before 1957 are presumed to be immune. Consult with your healthcare provider if you are unsure of your vaccination status.

Children are routinely vaccinated for measles at 12 to 15 months, and again at 4 to 6 years of age before going to kindergarten, but children as young as 6 months old can receive the measles vaccine if they are at risk.

Measles begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes usually about 7 to 14 days after exposure to measles but can occur up to 21 days. The fever increases and can get as high as 105 degrees. Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin. Then two to four days after symptoms begin, a rash starts on the hairline and face. It spreads down the back and torso, and then extends to the arms and hands, as well as the legs and feet. After about five days, the rash fades the same order in which it appeared.

If you are experiencing symptoms of measles, stay home and call your healthcare provider right away before going to the doctor’s office.

Please visit the IDOH website or the CDC website for more information about measles.

ORIGINAL STORY:

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) –  An unvaccinated child has been confirmed to be Indiana’s first case of measles. The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) says that the child lives in Allen County.

The Allen County Health Department says the victim is stable and recovering. IDOH has not released any information about where the child has been.

Measles is highly contagious and can be deadly. Health officials say it will begin with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after exposure to measles but can occur up to 21 days following.

The IDOH released the following:

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is reporting the first laboratory-confirmed case of measles in Indiana this year. The case is in an unvaccinated minor in Allen County, and state and local public health officials are working together on the investigation and to confirm any additional cases.

The patient is stable and recovering, and no other information will be released to protect patient privacy. This is the first case in Indiana since measles was confirmed in a Lake County resident in early 2024.

While the risk to the general public is low, measles is an easily spread respiratory disease caused by a virus. As of April 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a total of 607 confirmed cases in 22 jurisdictions across the United States.

Because measles is so easily spread, a single case is considered an outbreak. When infected people sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air. Those droplets remain infective in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.

More than 93 percent of people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to measles, and more than 97 percent will be protected after receiving a second dose. Two doses of the vaccine are needed to be fully protected. Individuals are encouraged to check with their healthcare providers to ensure vaccinations are up to date. Individuals born before 1957 are presumed to be immune to measles.

Children are routinely vaccinated for measles at 12-15 months, and again at 4-6 years of age before going to kindergarten, but children as young as 6 months old can receive the measles vaccine if they are at risk.

Symptoms
Measles begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes usually about 7 to 14 days after exposure to measles but can occur up to 21 days. The fever increases and can get as high as 105 degrees. Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin. Then two to four days after symptoms begin, a rash starts on the hairline and face. It spreads down the back and torso, and then extends to the arms and hands, as well as the legs and feet. After about five days, the rash fades the same order in which it appeared.

What you can do
If you are experiencing the symptoms of measles, stay home and call your healthcare provider right away before going to the doctor’s office. Be prepared to describe your symptoms and alert your doctor if you think you have been in contact with an infected person. 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.

Please visit the IDOH website or the CDC website for more information about measles.