A recent solar eclipse event at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has raised concerns over a possible exposure to measles, health officials reported last week. The Marion County Public Health Department stated that individuals who attended the event on Monday, April 8 may have been at risk of exposure to measles.
The person who potentially exposed others to measles was not from Indiana but traveled to the state while infected. While symptoms of measles could develop in those susceptible to the virus by April 22, they could appear as late as April 29.
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, tiny white spots inside the mouth, and a rash that typically starts on the hairline and face before spreading to the trunk, arms, and legs. Measles is highly contagious and can be spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs, releasing droplets that remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.
Individuals experiencing symptoms of measles are advised to stay home and contact their healthcare provider immediately, whether it be an urgent care facility, the hospital emergency room, or another medical clinic. Calling ahead before visiting a healthcare provider allows for necessary precautions to be taken to protect staff and other patients from potential infection. While children are typically vaccinated for measles at 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years old before starting kindergarten, those as young as 6 months old can receive the measles vaccine if deemed at risk.