ANGOLA, Ind. (WLKI)- Steuben County has recorded a confirmed measles case, according to an updated county-by-county report released Monday by the Indiana Department of Health.
The Nov. 2 update lists one case among Steuben County residents and brings Indiana's statewide total to 104 cases this year. Steuben County was not included in the department's Oct. 30 report, which listed 97 cases statewide. The figures are provisional and subject to change.
The state's public case summary does not identify the Steuben County patient's age, vaccination status or condition. It also does not provide a potential source of infection or list exposure locations associated with the case.
The update comes as neighboring LaGrange County continues to report the highest number of cases in Indiana, with 26. Adams and Wayne counties each have 17 cases, while Allen and DeKalb counties each have five. Noble County has one. The county totals reflect patients' counties of residence.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can become infected by entering a room where someone with measles has been, even up to two hours after that person leaves.
Up to nine out of 10 unprotected people who come into close contact with an infected person can contract the illness, the CDC says.
Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash. Measles can cause complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.
Children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of serious complications, according to the CDC.
The CDC identifies vaccination as the best protection against measles. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing infection, while one dose is about 93% effective.
Children routinely receive their first MMR dose at 12 to 15 months and a second dose at 4 to 6 years. Adults who are unsure whether they have adequate protection should discuss their vaccination history and evidence of immunity with a health care provider. Recommendations vary depending on a person's circumstances and risk of exposure.
The Indiana Department of Health advises anyone who believes they may have measles to call a health care provider before arriving for care so precautions can be taken to protect others. People can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears through four days afterward.