Local
Indiana Measles Cases Surge to 145, Riley Hospital Screens Visitors
Indiana's measles outbreak has exploded to 145 confirmed cases across more than 20 counties, prompting Riley Hospital for Children to screen all visitors for the first time. Low vaccination rates, especially in LaGrange County where kindergarten MMR coverage is just 74%, are fueling the surge.
Measles cases in Indiana have skyrocketed to 145 confirmed infections across more than 20 counties, a more than 400% increase in just one month, according to the Indiana Department of Health. As of Oct. 8, only 29 cases had been reported. The dramatic rise mirrors a national surge, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting upwards of 5,182 confirmed cases nationwide this yearânearly double last year's total. A separate Johns Hopkins tracker puts the national figure closer to 5,400.
The outbreak has prompted Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis to begin screening all patients and visitors for measles at its entrances starting Nov. 2âthe first time the hospital has implemented such screening specifically for the virus. "Because Riley Hospital for Children cares for some of the most medically fragile and vulnerable kids in the stateâincluding infants who are too young for the MMR vaccine and immunocompromised childrenâthese precautions add a vital layer of defense to keep the hospital environment safe," said Riley spokesperson Katie Oakley.
Screening involves asking about symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose and skin rash. Dr. Samina Bhumbra, Riley Children's medical director of infection prevention, noted in a social media video that the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a space. She advised families who suspect measles but feel well to stay home and call their doctor rather than visit a hospital. Those who do need treatment are urged to contact their provider in advance so staff can isolate them from other patients.
The county-level data reveals sharp geographic disparities. LaGrange County in northeast Indiana has the most cases at 36, followed by Adams with 19, Wayne with 17, Allen with 14, and Miami with 10. Jennings and Parke counties each report 9 cases, Switzerland 6, DeKalb 5, and Elkhart, Jay and Randolph 3 each. Kosciusko and Noble have 2 each, while Clark, Henry, Marshall, Ohio, Putnam, Ripley and Steuben each report a single case.
Low vaccination rates appear to be driving the surge. The CDC recommends that more than 95% of a community be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. However, national kindergarten vaccination rates have fallen from 95.2% in the 2019â20 school year to 92.4% in 2025â26, leaving more than 280,000 children at risk. In LaGrange County, the kindergarten MMR vaccination rate is just 74%, according to state health data. Neighboring Elkhart, Noble and Steuben counties, which have three or fewer cases each, report rates of roughly 89%, 87% and 83%, respectively.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that can be fatal, especially for young children and those with weakened immune systems. Up to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people exposed to an infected person will contract the disease. No measles-related deaths have been reported in Indiana as of Nov. 9, but eight deaths have occurred nationally this yearâsix in Pennsylvania, one in New York and one in Wisconsin.
Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a red, blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads. Infected individuals can spread the virus days before symptoms appear and remain contagious for days after they fade.
The MMR vaccine is the best defense. Two doses are 97% effective at preventing measles, with the first dose given at 12â15 months and the second at 4â6 years, according to Indiana University Health. Health officials continue to urge Hoosiers to check their vaccination status and get vaccinated if they haven't already.