A Wayne County resident infected with measles exposed others to the extremely contagious virus at two medical sites in Canton and Livonia July 25-July 29, Wayne County Public Health officials said Friday.
The person, an adult who had traveled internationally, has the seventh confirmed case of measles this year in Michigan and now is in isolation.
Anyone who was at the following locations, at the following times and dates, was exposed to the virus:
- The waiting area at Michigan Medicine Canton Health Center, 1051 N. Canton Center Road: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 25 and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 29.
- Trinity Health IHA Urgent Care's Schoolcraft Campus, 19000 St. Joe's Parkway, suite 140, Livonia: 12 p.m.-3:30 p.m. July 27.
Measles is so infectious, viral particles can remain in the air for as long as two hours after an infected person leaves the room and 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed will become infected. Those infected can spread measles before noticing symptoms.
The health department urges anyone who is not fully vaccinated for measles or who doesn't know their vaccine status and was exposed at the Canton health center or the Livonia urgent care center to go to bit.ly/3WMsX6h and fill out the form to get recommendations and begin monitoring.
People who are within six days of exposure to the virus could be eligible for post-exposure treatment that can prevent infection or make the illness milder.
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Health officials also urge people who may have been exposed to monitor for measles symptoms for 21 days after the date of potential exposure. If symptoms develop, call ahead before visiting a doctor, urgent care center, or hospital emergency department so they can take precautions to avoid exposing others.
Wayne County Public Health didn't immediately respond Friday to a question from the Free Press about the person's immunization status.
What are symptoms of measles?
Symptoms typically start within seven-14 days of exposure, but also have been known to appear as long as 21 days after initial exposure and can include:
- Fever, which may rise above 104 degrees.
- Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes.
- Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots, known as Koplik spots, may develop on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth.
- Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash that is red, raised and blotchy appears. It usually begins on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs.
How serious is a measles infection?
Measles can cause serious illness, long-term disability and death in people of all ages.
So far, in 2024, 188 people in the U.S. have had confirmed measles cases, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Of them,49% were hospitalizedfor treatment of complications — the majority of hospitalizations were among children.
About 1 in 20 kids with measles develops pneumonia. Roughly 1 out of every 1,000 children who have measles infections also will haveencephalitis. Brain swelling from encephalitis can lead to convulsions, permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability and death, according to the CDC.
Anywhere from 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 children with measles dies from respiratory or neurologic complications from the virus.
How can measles be prevented?
Make sure you and your loved ones are fully vacinated with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
“Measles vaccines are safe, effective, and easy to get.” Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a Wayne County Health Officer, said in a statement. “As we head into the back-to-school season, please protect your kids, your family, and your community by making sure your child is up to date on their vaccines.”
TheU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventionrecommendsthe following when it comes to the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine:
- A first dose for children at 12-15 months old, with a booster dose administered between ages 4 and 6.
- Anyone born during or after 1957 without evidence of immunity against measles or documentation of having been vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine should get vaccinated. The second dose should be given no sooner than 28 days after the first.
- People exposed to measles who cannot document immunity against the virus should get post-exposure prophylaxis — a dose of the vaccine to potentially provide protection within 72 hours of initial exposure, orimmunoglobulin within six days of exposure.
Where can I get an MMR vaccine?
Vaccines are available through primary care providers and pharmacies. Medicaid and most insurance plans cover the MMR vaccine at no cost. Low- to no-cost vaccines also are available at Wayne County Public Health offices. To learn more about how to get a vaccine from the county, go to: waynecounty.com/measles
Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program also may receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program at no cost. To learn more, go to: Vaccines for Children (VFC): Information for Parents | CDC.
What measles cases have been identified in Michigan this year?
In addition to the latest case in Wayne County, the following other cases of measles were reported earlier in 2024:
- A Macomb County child with unknown vaccination status had a confirmed case of measles July 3, and exposed others June 24-July 2 at a Motel 6 in Warren and at the Children's Hospital of Michigan Troy emergency department.
- A4-year-old from Detroitwho was unvaccinated had a confirmed case of the virus in April, exposed others at DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan, an urgent care center and a pharmacy in the city.
- Two cases were identifiedin March in Washtenaw County. The second person is believed to have been exposed to the virus at Trinity Health Ann Arbor's waiting and triage area, where another Washtenaw County resident contagious with measles had gone for care.
- An adult from Wayne Countywho had traveled internationallyand had no record of measles immunization had the virus in February.
- AnOakland County childwho was unvaccinated and had traveled internationally was the first known case of measles in Michigan this year, state health officials announced Feb. 23.
Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press.
