Indiana's measles total reached 145 confirmed cases as of Monday, November 9, according to the Indiana Department of Health. The cases span more than 20 counties, and no measles-related deaths have been reported in Indiana.
The increase has been rapid. State figures cited in reporting put Indiana at 29 cases on October 8, meaning cases have risen by more than 400 percent in about a month.
The highest county totals listed were LaGrange County with 36 cases, Adams County with 19, Wayne County with 17, Allen County with 14 and Miami County with 10. Jennings and Parke counties each had nine.
Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis began screening patients and visitors at its entrances on November 2, asking about symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose and rash. Hospital officials said the screening, a first for measles at Riley, is meant to protect medically fragile children, including infants too young for the MMR vaccine and immunocompromised patients.
Health officials say measles is airborne, can linger in the air for up to two hours, and can infect up to 9 in 10 unvaccinated people nearby. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective, according to Indiana University Health.
