Health department announces public health emergency due to measles

KNOX COUNTY — The Knox County Health Department declared a healthcare emergency in Knox County due to the measles virus, announced in a press release. Knox County Indiana Health Officer Dr. Alan Stweart, M.D. shared that measles is the most contagious disease known, and like COVID, measles is spread as a respiratory infection. Being in the same room with someone who has measles or being in the area up to two hours afterward constitutes an exposure.The number of reported measles cases increases daily in the United States, and currently, Stweart said there are 5182 cases as of Nov. 7. In Indiana, there are 145 cases and one case has been reported in Daviess County. At this time there are no known cases of measles in Knox County.It was said that the reason that the health emergency is being called is to create awareness and hopefully prevent any significant outbreak in the County.

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