INDIANAPOLIS — As measles cases dramatically rise across the state, Indiana University Health’s Riley Hospital for Children is taking new steps to protect patients.

On Oct. 1, the state recorded 24 cases. Now, more than 150 cases have been reported.

For the first time, the downtown Indianapolis hospital is implementing enhanced measles screening for patients and visitors.

Hospital staff ask everyone entering the hospital about possible measles symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose or a rash.

“Measles is more than just a rash,” said Dr. Samina Bhumbra, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Riley Hospital for Children. “It can cause a lot of complications including pneumonia, really bad diarrhea; sometimes it can cause infections around the brain.”

Measles spreads through droplets from an infected person’s nose or throat and can remain in the air for up to two hours. Hospital officials said this is the first time they’ve implemented these enhanced screening measures in response to rising cases.

The Indiana Department of Health reports 153 measles cases statewide through Tuesday in 2026. The three counties with the most cases are LaGrange, Wayne and Adams. LaGrange County has 32 reported cases, Wayne County has 19 and Adams County has 17.

The Indiana Department of Health reports no cases in Indianapolis or Marion County.

In 2026, there were 10 cases statewide. As of Tuesday, the state’s data showed that 135 people were infected and unvaccinated, while three were vaccinated.

“It comes down to being unvaccinated,” Bhumbra said. “That’s really the big thing. Not everyone can be vaccinated, but those in the household who can — that’s really where the cocoon of protection happens.”

The precautions are especially important at Riley, where some patients are too young to receive the measles vaccine and others have weakened immune systems.

Bhumbra said that if one person has measles, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.

“And then those who are over 20 years of age or pregnant,” Bhumbra said, “And then of course we worry about those who may have low immune systems.

The screenings are temporary and will remain in place as the hospital monitors measles activity in the community.

If anyone may have been exposed to measles, officials said to call health care providers or facilities before arriving so they can take proper isolation precautions.

“We’re still on the rise, and we’re evaluating it,” Bhumbra said. “We’re always looking at the numbers daily as we can.”