Information for Clinicians
| Information on Testing and More | Measles Office Poster | MMR Vaccine Recommendations Summary | Clinician Guidance |
What is measles?
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads easily from person to person. It's an airborne disease, meaning it spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks. The virus can stay alive in the air for up to two hours.
If one person has measles, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. The most effective way to protect against measles is with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which is given in two doses.
Symptoms of measles includes a rash, high fever, cough, watery eyes and runny nose. In some cases, measles may cause serious illness such as pneumonia (lung inflammation) and encephalitis (brain swelling) and can even be fatal in young children.
| Quick Facts | About Measles | Measles and Pregnancy |
Anyone who has not had two doses of measles vaccine is at risk for measles. All people should have two doses of measles vaccine (usually MMR, the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine) by age six. Children under the age of five and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have complications or die from measles. Pregnant women who get measles are at a higher risk for complications such as miscarriage and early delivery.
- If you have been near someone with measles and you haven't been vaccinated, call your doctor or health department right away, even if you feel well. There may be ways to keep you from getting sick.
- Measles spreads very easily. You can spread measles before you know you are sick.
- You can spread measles to someone else from 4 days before a rash begins to 4 days after the rash starts. Most people start to feel sick 10 to 12 days after being around someone with measles. The rash appears a few days after you start feeling sick.
- Call your doctor right away and before you go to their office. Tell them you think you might have measles, and they will tell you what to do next. This is important so you don't get others sick.
The MMR vaccine is safe and very good at preventing measles. Most schools and some child-care centers require proof of vaccination before entry. If you have not had measles and have no record of getting the vaccine, see your doctor. Your doctor can decide if you need a dose of vaccine. Two doses of vaccine should provide lifelong protection from measles.
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine recommendations summary from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For Travelers: Measles is a problem in many other parts of the world. Though measles vaccination is a part of the routine vaccination schedule, it is a good idea to check the CDC travel guidelines for the country or countries you will be visiting and ensure you are up-to-date on your routine and travel vaccinations before travelling.
People with measles often appear very ill. Early symptoms of measles include:
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Tiredness/sleepiness
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Spots inside the mouth that look like grains of salt (Koplik Spots)
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Around the fourth day of illness, the fever often goes up (often to over 101°F), and a blotchy red rash appears on the face or near the hair line and spreads downward and outward to the rest of the body. The rash lasts about 4 or 5 days. It slowly fades in the same order it appeared.
Diagnosis
See your doctor right away. If you have been exposed to someone with measles or you have symptoms that match those described above, your doctor may test you for measles. Many other diseases cause rash illnesses. If you have received your shots for measles, it is not likely that you have the disease.
Treatment
Since measles is caused by a virus, antibiotics do not cure measles. There are no medications used to treat measles. Treatment focuses on easing the symptoms of the illness.
Measles is spread by contact with the nose or throat droplets of an infected person. This can happen when someone coughs or sneezes near someone else or when someone touches objects with nose or throat droplets on them. Measles is very contagious, and the virus can remain in the air for up to two hours. People with measles can spread the disease approximately 4 days before they even get a rash, and up to 4 days after the rash starts. Anyone with measles should stay home during that time to prevent giving the illness to others.
Measles Case Counts
As of Oct. 16, there are 45 known measles cases in Indiana this year.
2026 Measles Cases by County of Residence
| County of Residence | Cases |
| Adams | 8 |
| Allen | 2 |
| DeKalb | 2 |
| LaGrange | 5 |
| Miami | 1 |
| Ohio | 1 |
| Parke | 5 |
| Randolph | 1 |
| Switzerland | 6 |
| Wayne | 14 |
Data are updated weekdays, provisional and subject to change.
Measles Data
As of Oct. 10, 2026
Data are provisional, subject to change and is updated weekly on Wednesdays.
| Number of Cases | |
| Total Cases | 30 |
| County of Residence | |
| Adams | 4 |
| Allen | 1 |
| DeKalb | 1 |
| LaGrange | 3 |
| Miami | 1 |
| Ohio | 1 |
| Parke | 4 |
| Randolph | 1 |
| Switzerland | 6 |
| Wayne | 8 |
| Number of Cases | |
| Age | |
| 0-4 years | 3 |
| 5-24 years | 11 |
| 25-49 years | 12 |
| 50-64 years | 4 |
| 65 and older | 0 |
| Hospitalization Status | |
| Hospitalized | 8 |
| Not Hospitalized | 22 |
| Unknown | 0 |
| Vaccination Status | |
| Unvaccinated or Unknown | 28 |
| Vaccinated | 2 |
Guidance for Clinicians
The Indiana Department of Health has confirmed measles cases throughout the state. Clinicians should watch for additional cases and report suspected measles immediately.
Consider measles in a patient with:
- Generalized maculopapular rash
- Fever of 101°F or higher
- Cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis
- Possible exposure during the 21 days before symptoms began, including:
- Known exposure to measles
- Travel to an area with known measles cases
- Contact with someone who had fever and rash, especially after travel
Measles often begins with fever, malaise, cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis. Koplik spots may appear. The rash usually begins near the hairline and spreads down the body.
Indiana providers, hospitals, and laboratories must report measles as soon as it is suspected, regardless of where testing will be performed.
- Business hours: 317-233-7125
- After hours: 317-233-1325
- Mask the patient, if tolerated.
- Place the patient in an airborne infection isolation room.
- If one is not available, place the patient in a private room with the door closed.
- Notify infection prevention staff.
- Use airborne precautions, including an N95 respirator.
- Limit care to healthcare workers with evidence of measles immunity.
- Keep the room vacant for at least 2 hours after the patient leaves. Disinfect it before another patient uses it.
- Notify the receiving facility before transferring the patient.
Call IDOH at 317-233-1325 before sending specimens to the IDOH Laboratories. Prior authorization is required.
Collect specimens for:
- PCR: Nasopharyngeal or throat swab
- Serology: IgM and IgG
Consult IDOH if measles is strongly suspected without a known exposure or if an exposed patient has unusual symptoms. Testing is discouraged when symptoms are not consistent with measles and there is no known exposure risk because false-positive results may occur.
People with measles are contagious from 4 days before through 4 days after the rash begins. The day the rash begins is day zero. Patients should isolate during this period except when medical care is needed. They should call the healthcare facility before arriving.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Provide supportive care and treat complications. Follow CDC guidance on vitamin A for children with severe measles, including those who are hospitalized.
For exposed people without evidence of immunity:
- Give MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure when appropriate.
- Give immune globulin within 6 days of exposure when appropriate.
- Follow current CDC guidance because recommendations vary by age and health condition.
- Monitor for symptoms for 21 days after the last exposure.
- Tell patients to call before visiting a healthcare facility if symptoms develop.
Healthcare workers caring for patients with suspected measles should have one of the following:
- Documentation of two doses of live measles or MMR vaccine given at least 28 days apart
- Laboratory evidence of immunity
- Laboratory confirmation of measles disease
Routine childhood vaccination includes the first dose at 12 to 15 months and the second dose at 4 to 6 years. Review adult vaccination records and follow current CDC and ACIP guidance when documentation is missing or special circumstances apply.
Children younger than 12 months may be able to get an MMR: MMR recommendations. While MMR vaccination is not routinely recommended for children under age 12 months, MMR vaccination can be safely given to children as young as six months if they are at higher risk. For example, if travelling internationally or living in an area with an outbreak and the health department recommends an MMR dose at age 6–11 months. Children who receive an MMR vaccine dose before their first birthday should still receive 2 MMR vaccine doses according to the routine schedule.
Page last updated/reviewed: October 2026
