Michigan measles outbreak: Confirmed cases grow to seven, including child under 5

The Washtenaw County measles outbreak has seven confirmed cases, with one person hospitalized. All individuals were unvaccinated
Public exposure sites include an emergency room treatment area, a community college and a mall
Health officials are asking those who were exposed to call providers before seeking in-person medical treatment

Michigan is recording its first measles case in a child under 5 as the Washtenaw County outbreak reaches seven confirmed cases. All have occurred in unvaccinated individuals, leaving one person hospitalized.

County officials are asking anyone unvaccinated or not already immune to measles to stay away from others for a full 21 days after exposure.

“As we’re seeing, measles spreads rapidly when people are unprotected by vaccination or prior illness,” said Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, Washtenaw County Health Department medical director, in a statement.

“We urge everyone who might have been exposed to follow public health guidance to protect others.”

Related:

Here are some common questions about the disease:

Is it easy to get measles?

Measles is highly contagious.

If one person has it, it’s likely up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How can I avoid getting measles?

Public health experts across the board say getting the MMR shot — which is both safe and effective to protect against measles, mumps and rubella — is the best way to stop the vaccine-preventable disease.

Children are recommended to get two doses of the MMR vaccine before the age of 6, and immunization typically lasts a lifetime.

The shots also can still be administered to adults and are widely available at doctor’s offices, local health departments and pharmacies. You can look up vaccination sites by ZIP code here.

Where were people exposed to measles?

Washtenaw County has listed the following public exposure sites:

In Ypsilanti

Wed., March 4: Crunch Fitness, 3020 Washtenaw Ave. (5 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.)
Wed., March 4: Sidetrack Bar & Grill, 56 E Cross St. (7:45 p.m. to 1 a.m.)
Thurs., March 5: T-Mobile, 2044 Whittaker Rd. (6 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.)
Thurs., March 5: Cricket Wireless, 2547 Ellsworth Rd. (6:55 p.m. to 8:55 p.m.)
Fri., March 6: CVS Pharmacy, 1415 E Michigan Ave. (4 p.m. to 6:07 p.m.)
Fri., March 6: Cricket Wireless, 2547 Ellsworth Rd. (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
Sat., March 7: Ypsilanti Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic, 301 W Michigan Ave. (7:15 p.m. to 9:27 p.m.)
Tues., March 17: Kroger, Whittaker Rd. (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
Sat., March 21: Trinity Health Ann Arbor Emergency Room, 5301 McAuley Dr. (1:45 p.m. to 7:28 p.m.) Treatment areas not including waiting areas

In Ann Arbor

Thurs., March 5: Briarwood Mall, 100 Briarwood Circle (3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
Tues., March 17: Washtenaw Community College, Crane Liberal Arts Building, Classroom 241, 4800 E Huron River Dr. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Tues., March 17: Washtenaw Community College, Gunder Myron Building, Classroom 332, 4800 E Huron River Dr. (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)

In Canton

Sun., March 8: Canton Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic, 43033 Ford Rd. (4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

What should I do if I was exposed?

Anybody who visited one of the sites above during the times listed should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure.

County officials are asking those who have not been vaccinated against measles or are not otherwise immune to the disease to stay away from others during that period.

According to the CDC, two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles. People who received two appropriately spaced doses at least two weeks before exposure are considered immune. So are adults born before 1957 or those who have evidence of a prior measles illness.

Vaccinated people and those immune to measles should still monitor for symptoms after exposure.

Those exposed to the virus should call ahead before seeking medical care.

Washtenaw County is providing immune globulin, or IG, medication to certain high-risk individuals not already immune to measles — infants under 1, pregnant people and immunocompromised individuals.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms can appear one to two weeks after exposure and include:

High fever
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes
Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth after onset of above symptoms
A red, raised blotch rash that usually starts on face, spreads to torso, arms, and legs after symptoms appear

Health officials stress that vulnerable populations like young children, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals are more at risk of the prolonged complications that occur from measles: hospitalization, encephalitis, pneumonia, complications during pregnancy and death.

I was exposed and have a symptom. What should I do?

Do not seek medical treatment in person without calling your provider first. Measles is highly contagious and you may expose others to the disease without proper coordination.

But please, seek medical care and isolate yourself from others.

Are N95 (or KN95) masks effective against measles?

N95 respirators are recommended for all health care workers to protect against infectious respiratory diseases, including measles.

However, N95s are not always recommended for younger patients and those who have difficulty breathing. Individuals should consult with their health care provider for guidance.

Surgical masks or face masks, which are looser fitting but do not provide the same level of protection, can still be worn.You can learn more about measles from the CDC, the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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