WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – Health officials have confirmed a seventh measles case in Washtenaw County linked to an outbreak, and announced new sites where people may have been exposed.
The new case was confirmed in an unvaccinated child who was a close contact of the first case that was reported on March 11.
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Last week, the Washtenaw County Health Department reported an outbreak after three connected cases were confirmed.
In addition, health officials said the suspect case that was announced on March 21 is now a confirmed case.
This means that Washtenaw Community College and the Kroger on Whittaker Road are now confirmed as possible exposure locations.
“As we’re seeing, measles spreads rapidly when people are unprotected by vaccination or prior illness,” says Juan Luis Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department. “We urge everyone who might have been exposed to follow public health guidance to protect others.”
Anyone who may have been exposed to the virus in the last 21 days should call ahead and tell them they have measles before getting medical care. This helps healthcare providers protect others from possible exposure.
Exposure sites
Measles is highly contagious and can live in the air for up to two hours. It is also spread through direct person-to-person contact.
People who were at the following locations on the following dates and times may have been exposed:
| Date | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tues, March 17 | Crane Liberal Arts Building, in or around Classroom 241, Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan. | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Tues, March 17 | Gunder Myron Building, in or around Classroom 332, Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan. | 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Tues, March 17 | Kroger, 2010 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti, Michigan. | 5 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. |
| Sat, March 21 | Trinity Health Ann Arbor Emergency room treatment areas (this does not include the waiting area), 5301 McAuley Dr, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 | 1:45 p.m. to 7:28 p.m. |
Those who may have been exposed should monitor for symptoms for 21 days.
People who have received two spaced doses of the measles vaccine are considered immune. Adults who were born before 1957 or have had the measles virus before are also considered immune, according to the release.
“WCHD recommends that people who are not immune stay home and avoid all public settings through 4/11 for this exposure,” the health department said. “This precaution is necessary because people who are not immune could develop measles during the 7-21 day incubation period and may be contagious before symptoms appear.”
IG can be administered up to six days after being exposed. This means that high-risk individuals who were exposed on March 21 can get the medication through March 27.
The health department said it is working with Trinity Health to notify anyone who isn’t immune of the possible exposure.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include the following:
- High fever, which can rise above 104 F.
- Cough.
- Runny nose.
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots).
- A rash that begins as flat red spots on the face at the hairline, then spreads to the trunk and limbs three to five days after symptoms begin; small raised bumps may appear on top of the flat spots.
People who think they may have been exposed or who develop symptoms are advised to call their health care provider before going for testing or treatment so steps can be taken to avoid exposing others.
Vaccines are available at doctors’ offices, most pharmacies and local health departments.
To keep up with the latest updates on the outbreak, visit here. You can also call the health department at 734-544-6700 for more information.