A health official at Ball State said the confirmed case of measles in an Indiana University Bloomington student is no reason for students to be alarmed, as long as they have received the vaccination.
Representatives from both the Ball State Health Center and Delaware County Health Department said the state has not issued any warnings or concerns of a measles outbreak related to the case.
Medical Director of the Health Center Kent Bullis said all students, except those who object on religious grounds, have had measles vaccinations and one incident is not something to fear.
“Given all the different things students have to worry about, I would say measles should be way down on the list,” he said. “Especially if they’ve had their measles vaccine there is not a reason they should spend a lot of time thinking about measles.”
Bullis said it has been at least four or five years since he can remember a measles case at Ball State, but those who have not had the vaccine should stay aware if any cases occur in the community.
Preparedness nursing coordinator for the Delaware County Health Department Susan Morris said immunization is the most important mode of prevention and people should make sure their immunizations are up to date.
Everyone outside of those who object for religious reasons is vaccinated by age one and again before kindergarten, Morris said.
Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory infection whose symptoms include high fever, cough and rash.
“With sickness in general,” Bullis said, “the biggest thing to do is wash your hands frequently — after going to the bathroom and before you eat and keep your hands away from your mouth. In terms of measles specifically, make sure they have had a measles vaccine.”
Bullis said generally the months of December and January have the most cases of sickness for the overall population, but Ball State is fortunate to be out of session for much of December and some of January.
With the worst months of the year in the past and no measles alert from the state, students are most likely in the clear, Bullis said.
“Really the sickest months tend to be November and February,” he said. “Across the board in general November tends to be the worst month of the year for Ball State.”
