Two new cases of measles in Southeast Michigan, case count is 42 Detroit and Oakland County residents affected; exposure sites in Ingham, Kent and Washtenaw counties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2019

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has confirmed two new measles cases in Southeast Michigan, bringing the state total to 42 for 2019. The newly confirmed cases are in Oakland County and the City of Detroit. One of the cases had exposure locations in Kent and Ingham counties.

Exposure locations for both cases are as follows:

• April 10, Beis Chabad of North Oak Park, 15401 West 10 Mile Road, Oak Park, 7:45 –10 p.m.
• April 11, Beis Chabad of North Oak Park, 15401 West 10 Mile Road, Oak Park 7:45 –10 p.m.
• April 11, Speedway Gas Station, 6041 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, 11 p.m. – 1 a.m.
• April 12, Baymont by Wyndham Grand Rapids Airport, 2873 Kraft Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, approximately 12 – 3 a.m.
• April 12, BP Gas Station, 1166 Ecorse Road, Ypsilanti 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• April 12, Urgent Care Med Express 3100 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, 1 – 6 p.m.
• April 12, Congregation B’Nai Israel, 15400 West 10 Mile, Oak Park, 5 – 7:30 p.m.
• April 13, Beis Chabad of North Oak Park, 15401 W 10 Mile Rd, Oak Park 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The outbreak, which began in mid-March, has resulted in 39 cases in Oakland County, one in Wayne County and one in the City of Detroit. In addition, an international traveler was diagnosed with measles following a visit to Washtenaw County, during which time he was contagious. Infected individuals range in age from 8 months to 63 years; a majority of the cases involve adults.

MDHHS is working closely with local health departments to identify possible exposure locations for these latest cases. Michiganders are urged to contact their healthcare provider or local health department about getting vaccinated for measles if they have not been vaccinated. A complete listing of local health departments is available at Malph.org/resources/directory.

The measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe. A single dose of measles vaccine protects about 95 percent of children, but after two doses, almost 100 percent are immune. The first of two routine childhood measles vaccine doses is given at 12-15 months of age. A second vaccine dose is given before the start of kindergarten, between ages 4 and 6 years.

MDHHS follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and does not recommend routine measles vaccinations for children less than 12 months of age unless there is a suspected measles exposure; there is thought to be an imminent measles exposure such as being in areas of known measles; or international travel planned.

For international travel, infants as young as 6 months should be vaccinated against measles. Measles vaccine, or other acceptable documentation of immunity to measles, is recommended for all persons travelling internationally.

You cannot get measles from the vaccine. It can be effective when given within 72 hours of exposure to prevent illness. In addition, immune globulin (Ig) treatment is effective within six days of exposure for high-risk individuals. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if immune globulin is right for you.

High-risk individuals include those who are unvaccinated or unsure about vaccination status, pregnant women and those who are immune-compromised (have a weakened immune system due to illness and diseases like HIV, malnutrition and/or medications).

This is the highest number of measles in the state since 1991 when 65 cases were reported. So far this year in the U.S., there have been 555 cases of measles confirmed in 20 states. Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air.

The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever (may spike to over 104°F).
• Cough
• Runny nose.
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms begin.
• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms, and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin.

If symptoms develop, residents are urged to call their doctor or emergency room before arriving so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals.

For more information about measles, visit CDC.gov/measles. For more information about Michigan’s current measles outbreak, visit Michigan.gov/MeaslesOutbreak.

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