Number of measles cases jumps to 10

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The numbers are growing. Three days ago there were two confirmed and two suspected cases of measles in Indiana. Now, the Indiana Department of Health confirms 10 cases - and one of those also visited Super Bowl Village on Friday, though health officials emphasize the two were together at the Village. The second person is not ill as a result of exposure at the Village, health officials said.

The state health commissioner told 24-Hour News 8 those infected are all part of one social group. But he said it points out how quickly the disease can spread if you aren't immunized.

Two people enjoying the Super Bowl Village the Friday before the big game had measles, the State Health Department said Monday afternoon. They spent the entire time together, so the state considers it effectively one potential track to exposure. It was a time when about 200,000 people were there.

None of the new cases comes from exposure that day.

"No, absolutely not," said State Health Commissioner Dr. Gregory Larkin.

All those infected are from Boone and Hamilton counties and all are from the same social group.

"We believe the initial exposure was from an international citizen from a country where measles is common," he said.

Larkin said those living here who got the measles were not vaccinated.

The last major measles outbreak in Indiana was in 2005, with 33 cases. It was caused when an unvaccinated Hoosier came back from Romania and attended a church gathering, spreading it to other unvaccinated people.

Since then, according to the state Health Department, the number of cases have been:

• 2006: 2
• 2007: 0
• 2008: 0
• 2009: 0
• 2010: 0
• 2011: 14

The 2011 cases were all in northeastern Indiana, spread among a group that was unvaccinated by an unvaccinated family member who had just returned from Indonesia. 

Larkin said the 10 current cases mean this is now considered an outbreak.

"The probability is there will be additional cases,” he said. “We have to identify those individuals and voluntarily quarantine them so they don't spread to others."

Measles is highly contagious, and the best way you can avoid it is to get vaccinated. The incubation period for measles is eight to 12 days. So if anyone exposed at the Super Bowl Village would be in the clear by the end of this week if no symptoms appear.

So far, there have been no cases of measles reported in Marion County.