No new cases of measles have been reported in Lake County in the wake of the first confirmed case of the disease in Indiana in five years announced Feb. 23 by the Indiana Department of Health.
IDOH identified Lake County as the site of the confirmed case and said this week that no additional cases had been reported. No further information on the individual such as age or community was available due to privacy concerns, according to IDOH.
Officials said the individual who contracted the disease was not vaccinated.
“IDOH and local health officials are still investigating and taking all recommended measures to prevent the spread of the disease, and no additional cases of measles have been reported,” Lisa Welch, media relations coordinator for IDOH, said.
“The risk to the public is low in this case. However, young children and unvaccinated individuals are particularly at risk, generally speaking. About one in five unvaccinated people in the United States who get measles is hospitalized, and 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become sick,” Welch said.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles and one dose is about 93% effective, so vaccination is the best prevention, she said.
Three measles, mumps and rubella clinics were offered last week by IDOH in conjunction with the Lake County, East Chicago and Gary health departments. Those clinics saw little foot traffic despite the IDOH announcement. Lake County has some of the lowest vaccination rates in the state.
“Vaccination is the best protection, and we were able to vaccinate three people at Wednesday’s clinics (on Feb. 28). Anyone who would like to get vaccinated is encouraged to reach out to their healthcare provider or the local health departments in Lake County,” Welch said.
Just 42.98% of children aged 19 months to 35 months have completed the series of vaccinations recommended for that age in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to an overall state vaccination completion rate of 57.7% in 2022 for that age group, according to the IDOH website. Part of that series is the MMR vaccine.
Gary’s health officer Dr. Janet Seabrook said because of the contagious nature of measles, one case is considered an outbreak.
Veronica Collins, executive director of the Gary Health Department, said the department hosted the vaccination clinic with IDOH and has extended its hours vaccines are offered to accommodate any demand.
After the clinic, the department received phone calls about the vaccine’s availability, she said. Both adults and children can come to the health department for vaccinations.
“To educate the public, we will be getting out pieces on social media, newspapers, WLTH radio and billboards to let them know what’s going on. It will also be on our website,” Collins said. “We’re working with the state right now for Health First Indiana and extending our immunization clinics throughout schools.”
Dr. Chandana Vavilala, Lake County’s health officer, said officials have been aware of the low vaccination rates in Lake County before the outbreak and have been utilizing some of the Health First Indiana funding to increase vaccination rates in general.
Dates and locations for upcoming vaccine clinics will be posted on the department’s website. Anybody needing an MMR vaccine, or any other vaccine, who does not want to wait for a vaccine clinic may contact the health department at (219) 755-3655.
cnapoleon@chicagotribune.com
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
