With the number of measles cases growing to six in Indiana, the Lake County Health Department is launching mobile clinics and expanding hours to provide increased access to vaccinations for at-risk individuals.

The Indiana Department of Health reported the state’s first confirmed case of measles for 2025 on Monday in Allen County and that number grew to 6 on Wednesday; measles cases have only been reported in Allen County so far.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs, according to the Associated Press. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000, but dipping vaccination rates have led to its reemergence and it spreads quickly among unvaccinated individuals.

The health department held its first mobile clinic on Thursday in Hammond, and plans on another from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Merrillville’s Dean and Barbara White Center. The health department’s immunization clinic, located at 2900 W. 93rd Ave. in Crown Point, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The measles vaccine comes in two doses, known as the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The first dose is given to children between 12 to 15 months and the second dose is given between the age of 4 or 6 years old, said Thomas Duszynski, epidemiology education director at Indiana University Indianapolis. Individuals born before 1957 are presumed to be immune to measles, according to a Lake County Health Department news release. Individuals who are unsure about their vaccination status are advised to reach out to a healthcare provider or contact the health department for guidance at 219-755-3655.

Immunizations not only protect individuals but also help to protect the broader community by preventing the spread of the virus, the release stated. Lake County’s measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine completion rate was about 79.6% in 2024, according to the IDOH dashboard, which is under the state average of 84.6%. Porter County, in contrast, was above the state average with 85.3% completion rate. To achieve herd immunity — which protects members of the community who cannot get vaccines due to certain health conditions, vaccination rates should surpass 95%, according to the World Health Organization.

“The safety and the efficacy of the vaccine is really, really high. It’s probably one of the most efficacious vaccines we have, so much so, that if you get both doses of the vaccine it protects 97% of the population,” Duszynski said.

Duszynski said the initial state case of measles was an unvaccinated child, but it’s unclear if the child was old enough to receive the measles vaccine. After completing contact tracing, Duszynski said officials reported five more measles cases that stem from the initial case. The child is recovering, he said.

“Right now, the risk appears to be low in Indiana because they’ve identifying these cases, but it isn’t zero. With every new case that risk goes up a little bit,” Duszynski said.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world, Duszynski said, with a single case potentially spreading to 12 to 18 new cases in an unprotected population.

The U.S. has more than double the number of measles cases it saw in all of 2024, and Texas is reporting the majority of them with 505. Two young elementary school-aged children, who were not vaccinated, died from measles-related illnesses near the epicenter of the outbreak in rural West Texas, which led Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to visit the community on Sunday.

Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age, including pneumonia and encephalitis.

Other states with active outbreaks — defined as three or more cases — include New Mexico, Ohio, Kansas and Oklahoma. The virus has been spreading in undervaccinated communities. The third person who died was an adult in New Mexico who was not vaccinated.

As of April 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a total of 607 confirmed cases in 22 jurisdictions across the United States.

Measles symptoms and treatment advice

Measles symptoms typically start with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, usually appearing one to two weeks after exposure, but symptoms can develop up to 21 days later. A fever can reach as high as 105°F. A few days after the first symptoms, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth and a rash usually appears on the hairline and face, then spreads to the back, torso, arms, hands, legs, and feet. After about five days, the rash gradually fades in the reverse order in which it appeared.

If you have symptoms, stay home and contact your healthcare provider immediately before visiting the doctor’s office. Be ready to explain your symptoms and inform your doctor if you suspect you’ve been exposed to someone with measles. If you’re diagnosed with measles, remain at home and avoid contact with others, especially unvaccinated infants, individuals with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women.