VANDERBURGH CO., IN (WFIE) -
After recent outbreaks of measles in Central Indiana, the Vanderburgh County Health Department advised local schools to be on the look out for the disease.
Dr. Ray Nicholson at the Vanderburgh County Health Department has seen some bad cases of the measles in his career, usually in kids.
"I've seen a lot of children with temperatures of 107, and we're not talking like flu two or three days, I've seen kids with 107 for up to two weeks," Nicholson told 14 News.
He says that of the 13 reported cases, all have been in unvaccinated children.
Nicholson says that's why the local health department alerted schools Friday to be on the watch for kids who show any symptoms of the measles, which include, sneezing, coughing, fever and a characteristic rash.
EVSC schools say they are already taking precautions.
"At the beginning of the school year, of course, we begin our audit, making sure kids have all of their vaccinations, not just the MMR, so right now, we're looking at kids who may have started after that time of that audit," said EVSC Chief Communications Officer Marsha Jackson.
Nicholson says making sure a child, and also anyone under the age of 55 is vaccinated, is the best way to prevent an outbreak in the Tri-State, because you never know who might be infected.
"They're especially contagious about four days before they have any symptoms. So, there's a period when they're contagious and have no expression of the disease whatsoever."
The Indiana State Department of Health has also established a hotline to answer any questions you may have about the measles.
That number is 1-877-836-0011.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
