Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) has confirmed a case of measles in a Lake County resident. Clinicians should be vigilant for additional cases of measles and immediately report suspected cases of measles to the IDOH.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness. About one in five unvaccinated people in the United States who get measles is hospitalized, and 90 percent of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become sick. Exposed individuals who do not have evidence of immunity to measles should be encouraged to be vaccinated and should quarantine and monitor for signs and symptoms for 21 days after exposure. Appropriate infection control practices should be implemented in healthcare facilities when caring for patients suspected of having measles.
Details on measles reporting, laboratory testing, infection control, clinical guidance and additional resources are included in the attached Indiana Health Alert Notification. The IDOH Press Release is also attached.