Indiana is facing renewed alarm as measles, once considered eliminated from the U.S., has resurfaced with intensity this summer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 1,168 confirmed cases across 34 states as of June 5, 2025, including three deaths, marking the largest outbreak in decades. With Indiana reporting eight cases, all in Allen County, health officials are urgently urging residents to act.
Indiana’s first measles instance in 2025 was confirmed on April 7, involving an unvaccinated minor in Allen County, according to a state press release. Two days later, five more cases — three minors and two adults — were reported, linked to that initial patient. In a WFYI report, the Allen County Health Department emphasized that “exposures to the confirmed case are minimal” and that the “risk to the general public remains low” but cautioned that measles is extremely contagious.
Dr. Thomas Duszynski, epidemiology expert at Indiana University’s Fairbanks School of Public Health, described the threat bluntly: “Measles is one of the most infectious organisms on the planet. A single person with measles passes the virus on to an average of 12-18 people.”
He underscored that hospitalization rates are climbing, particularly among young children, and urged vaccination to reach herd immunity.
The CDC’s national data underscore the severity: 89% of cases this year are outbreak-associated, and states like Texas, New Mexico and Kansas have reported devastating numbers — 744 cases in Texas, with two child fatalities; New Mexico tallied 81 cases with one death. Even air travel is implicated: The CDC warns measles can spread in airports and on planes, advising travelers to verify their MMR vaccinations.
Measles is not a mild illness. The virus spreads via coughs and sneezes, lingering in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Symptoms begin with fever, cough and red eyes, followed by a rash. Complications include pneumonia, ear infections, encephalitis and even death in vulnerable groups.
Vaccination remains the most powerful defense. A single MMR dose delivers about 93% immunity, while two doses achieve 97% protection. Yet vaccination rates have fallen in many communities, dropping below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. As of June 11, the CDC updated its guidance, urging all international travelers to ensure they’ve received the MMR vaccine, no matter the destination.
For Hoosiers, the message is clear: even a small cluster can spark wider outbreaks. Indiana health officials urge everyone, especially parents and travelers, to verify MMR vaccination, watch for measles symptoms and stay home and contact a provider if illness develops.
For more information about measles, visit in.gov/health.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
