YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Health Department is reporting Michigan’s third case of measles this year.
Measles is a highly contagious and preventable disease that is caused by a virus. It can spread through direct person-to-person contact and the air. The measles virus can live in the air for up to two hours.
The health department did not say if the person with measles is a child or adult or how they believe the person became infected.
Possible exposure location:
- Trinity Health Ann Arbor Emergency Department waiting and triage areas at 5301 McAuley Dr, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, on Friday, March 1, from 10:30 a.m. through 1:30 p.m.
Anyone who is not already fully vaccinated and may have been exposed should get the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine before Monday, March 4, 2024. You can contact your doctor, pharmacy, or the health department at 734-544-6700 for more information.
Anyone with possible exposure should monitor themselves for up to 21 days from the date of exposure for symptoms. If you get symptoms, call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room so they can prevent others from being exposed.
“Measles is highly contagious and spreads easily though the air,” says Juan Luis Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department. “This means we need to alert people who may have been present to the possibility of exposure, especially because anyone not vaccinated is likely to become ill if exposed.”
The first case reported in Michigan this year was in an Oakland County child and was linked to international travel. Nobody outside of the child’s home had been exposed to the virus.
The second case was in an adult from Wayne County and that case was also linked to international travel. The Oakland County and Wayne County cases are not connected.
Signs and symptoms of measles
The first symptoms of measles usually show up seven to 14 days after exposure, but they can take as long as 21 days to appear.
Symptoms include:
- High fever (may spike to over 104˚F).
- Cough.
- Runny nose.
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
Two to three days after the initial symptoms begin, Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth. These are tiny white spots that show up on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth.
Three to five days after symptoms begin, the measles rash may appear. This is a rash that is red, raised, and blotchy. It usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
If you believe you have measles, you should call your doctor or emergency room so they can prepare and avoid exposing others to the virus.
How effective is the measles vaccine?
Health officials said the vaccine is very safe and highly effective.
According to the CDC, two doses of the measles vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles if you’re exposed to the virus. One dose of the vaccine is believed to be about 93% effective. You are considered fully protected about two to three weeks after getting the vaccine.
If you are unvaccinated and exposed to the virus, health officials say getting the measles vaccine within 72 hours of exposure can help reduce your risk of developing measles.
Some people with weakened immune systems may not be able to get the vaccine.
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves and our loved ones from potential outbreaks of diseases like measles,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “It is important to make sure our families are up to date on all routine vaccines to prevent the spread of severe illness and disease. Now is a great time to check with your health care provider to make sure you are current with all your vaccines.”
2019 Michigan measles outbreak
In 2019, there were at least 46 confirmed measles cases in Michigan.
That year there were 1,274 measles cases across 31 states, according to the CDC.
That was the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1992. The majority of cases were among people who were not vaccinated against measles.
To give that number some perspective, there were 375 cases in 2018, and 13 cases in 2020.
How to check your vaccination status in Michigan
People who have been vaccinated in Michigan can check the immunization portal to see if their records are available.
To get your record, you must be 18 years of age or older and have or create a MiLogin account. You will have to upload an image of either your US passport, driver’s license, or state ID.