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INDIANAPOLIS – The Marion County Public Health Department is advising individuals who
attended the solar eclipse event on April 8 at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis of
their possible exposure to a person with measles. This person is not an Indiana resident but traveled to the state while infectious.
No confirmed cases of measles have been reported in Marion County in 2024.
Anyone exposed and susceptible to measles would most likely see symptoms develop before April 22, though symptoms could be seen as late as April 29 based on the virus’ incubation period. The risk to the general public remains low.
Symptoms for measles include:
• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red eyes
• Tiny white spots inside the mouth
• Rash that starts on the hairline and face and spreads to trunk, arms, and legs
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 infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.
A person who experiences symptoms of measles should stay home and call their healthcare
provider – which might include urgent care, the hospital emergency room, or another type of medical clinic – right away. Calling ahead before arriving also allows that provider to take steps to protect the health of its staff and other patients from possible infection.
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. Some children are too young to be immunized, so those around them should be fully vaccinated for measles to protect them.
The Marion County Public Health Department offers low-cost vaccination by appointment for measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases at its district heath offices and the ACTION Health Center. Appointments are available by contacting a clinic directly. For a listing of clinic locations and phone numbers, please visit MarionHealth.org/immunize or call 317-221-2122.
