WEST LAFAYETTE -
Purdue University is telling students to get their measles vaccinations, or risk sitting out next semester. Two fans infected with the highly contagious virus visited the crowded Super Bowl Village, prompting Purdue's warning.
Say "measles" to students on the West Lafayette campus and you'll likely get a puzzled look.
Asked "Have you ever thought about measles?," freshman Abigail Parrish answered "no" with a laugh. Another student, Paul Hughes, isn't certain if he's been vaccinated.
"I believe I am," he said with a question in his voice.
Health officials at Purdue believe as many as 850 students aren't vaccinated against measles. If they don't get vaccinated or update their medical records, they'll be stopped from registering for next semester's classes.
"If you don't get in classes you need, you are pretty well stuck out in the wind," said student Cody Roby.
Having the necessary vaccinations has always been required to register for classes at Purdue. Now, the rule is being enforce more diligently. For the first time, if there is a measles outbreak, any student not vaccinated for any reason will be barred from campus.
"They can't participate in activities here," said Purdue Medical Director Dr. Sarah Sayger.
Although measles hasn't been seen on campus in 15 years, Dr. Sayger says two people diagnosed after circulating through Super Bowl crowds last week justifies the additional efforts to prevent an outbreak.
"You can get sick, very sick," said Dr. Sayger. "Measles can be associated with some very severe symptoms, including encephalitis and meningitis."
Because measles is so rare, public health officials say it has become more dangerous. Victims and doctors may not immediately recognize the symptoms while the percentage of people vaccinated has continued to fall. Gregory Steel of the IU School of Medicine puts the percentage now in the mid 70s.
"Increasing the probability of having an outbreak when you have individuals who have the disease increases dramatically," Steel said.
State Department of Health records show Indiana went four years without a single case of measles. Last year, there were 14. Indiana law requires students of public universities with housing facilities to have a number of vaccinations, measles is among them.
There are exceptions for religious beliefs and students have some leeway as to how quickly they have to get them. Purdue is telling students very loudly, their time is up.
