NOBLESVILLE -
Indiana's measles outbreak is growing. The Indiana State Department of Health announced Tuesday that three more cases have been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to 13.
Two of the cases are children attending Noblesville's White River Elementary and Intermediate Schools. Parents, health and school officials are trying to stop the outbreak.
"The potential to have more cases only continues to grow," said State Health Commissioner Dr. Gregory Larkin.
Four-year-old Lance Wehlage was due for a measles vaccination. His parents went to the Hamilton County Health Department as soon as they heard about the outbreak.
"Knowing it is out there, I wanted to take as many precautions as possible. That's why we hurried in to get the shot," said Carrie Wehlage, parent.
One sickened student attends Noblesville Intermediate School. Administrators say workers thoroughly cleaned the child's classroom, parents were notified and the small number of families whose children aren't vaccinated are getting phone calls.
"A lot of times at the beginning of the school year, we have conversations where we go back and forth with just a small percentage of our parents to make sure they understand how important it is to get your immunizations. Well, this measles epidemic or situation we have in our district right now, this is exactly why schools fight that battle with parents or within the community to make sure that our children are immunized so that we can keep our children safe," said Mark Booth, director of student services, Noblesville Schools.
State law requires students receive measles and other vaccinations. It's the schools' responsibility to enforce the rules, and there are exemptions for religious beliefs and medical reasons.
The state health commissioner is trying halt the outbreak. Patients are being told to quarantine themselves, and immunization clinics will move into the affected schools.
"I think we have all the tools in place. The local health departments are engaged. The State Health Department is deeply engaged. I think we are casting the net pretty far," said Dr. Larkin.
Michelle Braun of Westfield has five young children and says she's not worried about any of them getting measles. All of their vaccinations are kept up to date.
"My only concern are people who don't have their kids immunized," she said.
That's now a concern increasing every day among schools and public health agencies.
Measles is so contagious that public health experts consider one case an outbreak. The state health department says all 13 children and adults with measles live in Boone and Hamilton Counties. However, one is a student at the Ivy Tech campus.
Health officials say people born before 1957 or who have been vaccinated should be fine. But the disease poses risks for people who are not immunized - especially for the very young, the elderly or anyone with a compromised immune system.
Dr. David Kosten, IU Health Physicians in Greenwood, says measles can make a child sicker than parents have ever seen. He says it might be confused with a bad case of flu, "but there's really no flu in central Indiana right now."
"If your child has fever and a rash - that's all you're really gonna have to concentrate on. Probably a pretty high fever and a pretty sick looking kid with a rash, and you live in Hamilton County or Boone County where the outbreak has been, you need to call your pediatrician. You need to make your pediatrician aware that your child might have measles because they need to take special precautions to see your child," he said.
Some parents have hesitated to get their children vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, which will give immunity to measles, mumps and rubella, out of concern that the vaccine is linked to autism.
"There's a lot of misunderstanding and distrust on the part of the lay public to respect the vaccines. A lot of inaccurate information out there," said Dr. Marty Kleiman, Riley Hospital for Children.
Kleiman says what surprises him even more is the people who most object.
"It's a relatively well-read, educated public, I think, that has the most objections to the vaccines," he said.
That's why he hopes this measles outbreak will be enough of a wake up call.
"It's very real. People won't understand that until tragedy happens," Kleiman said.
To those parents whose children have not had the vaccination, Dr. Kosten addressed them directly.
"There's a good chance that your child will be susceptible to measles, because a few years ago when your baby...was a year old, your pediatrician or family practice doctor offered your child the measles vaccine. Back then, you were worried about the autism risk. The autism thing has been pretty much debunked. We're not worried about autism with the measles vaccine that's coming on. The measles is real. Measles really can hurt your kid," he said.
Dr. Kosten went on to say the measles has a 1 out of 1,000 fatality rate and a 3 out of 1,000 rate of brain damage in children. He says the time is now to get the vaccine for your child if they haven't been immunized.
The health department considers anyone who has not received two doses of measles-containing vaccine to be at risk for the disease. Noblesville school officials say 98 percent of students in their district have been immunized against the disease and parents of students whose records show they have not been immunized will be contacted to discuss immunizations.
More from the Indiana State Department of Health
List of locations where measles patients visited
All individuals who think they may have been exposed are encouraged to check their immunization status with their health care provider.
The State Health Department says individuals may have been exposed to measles at the following places and dates.
· Delphi Electronics & Safety, Kokomo (Possible exposure ranges from Feb. 1 through Feb. 9)
· Hartley Funeral Home, Cicero (Jan. 25 and Jan. 26)
· Kroger, W. Logan St., Noblesville (Feb. 10)
· Wal-mart, Clover Rd., Noblesville (Feb. 10)
· College Park Church, Indianapolis (Jan. 1, Jan. 15, ongoing)
· Indianapolis Grace Ethiopian Church/Westlake Community Church, Indianapolis (Jan. 8)
· Noblesville Intermediate School (Feb. 9) and White River Elementary School (Feb. 13).
· Ivy Tech Community College, Anderson Campus (Jan. 26, Jan. 31, and Feb. 2)
· A number of health care clinics in Zionsville, Fishers, and Noblesville, (multiple dates in Jan. and Feb.) including:
o Saint Vincent Primary Care clinics
o IU Primary Care clinics, and
o A Community Hospital Immediate Care Center
· Super Bowl Village, Indianapolis (Feb. 3)
o The State Health Department has confirmed measles in a second individual who traveled to Super Bowl Village on Feb. 3, from approximately 3-10 p.m. Both confirmed cases were together at all times and therefore the risk of exposure has not increased from initial reports.
o As previously reported by health officials, individuals visited the following locations while in downtown Indianapolis: Rock Bottom, Starbucks on the Circle, Colts Pro Shop in Lucas Oil Stadium, and the Huddle, as well as walked around the Super Bowl Village area. Marion County Public Health Department officials have followed up each of these venues.
o No additional cases of measles have been reported as a result of this exposure. The Indiana State Department of Health has notified state health departments in New York and Massachusetts of the potential exposure.
The Indiana State Department of Health has established a hotline to help answer questions from the general public. The hotline service will be available beginning tomorrow, February 15, 2012.
· The hotline number is 1-877-826-0011 (TTY/TTD 1-888-561-0044).
· State Health Department staff will be on-hand during the hours of 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday to answer questions.
· Note: Immunization status cannot be verified through this hotline. Individuals unsure of vaccination status are encouraged to contact your health care provider, as they have access to the Indiana Immunization Registry.
About measles
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It is rare in the United States due to high levels of vaccination with the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine; however, unvaccinated visitors from other countries can transmit measles to unvaccinated people in the U.S., or unvaccinated U.S. citizens traveling abroad can become infected during travel.
More than 95 percent of people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to measles, and more than 99 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 health care providers to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date.
Children are routinely vaccinated for measles at 1 year of age, 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. Individuals born before 1957 are presumed to be immune to measles. If you are unsure about your vaccination history, check with your health care provider, as they have access to vaccination records for many Hoosiers through the Indiana Immunization Registry known as CHIRP.
Symptoms
Measles begins with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes about 7-10 days after exposure. The fever increases and can get as high as 105 degrees. Two to four days later, a rash starts on the face and upper neck. It spreads down the back and trunk, 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.
Measles is highly contagious. When infected persons sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air and are inhaled by others. Those droplets remain active and contagious in the air and on infected surfaces for up to two hours. Measles can also be transmitted when moist secretions from the nose or mouth of an infected person come in contact with the mouth, nose or eyes of another person.
What you can do
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent transmission.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of measles, stay home and call your doctor. 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, remain home and away from others, especially unvaccinated infants, people with diseases affecting their immune systems, and pregnant women.
For more information about measles, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For information on how to contact your local health department, please visit the Indiana State Department of Health.
