Fifth measles case confirmed in Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Health officials on the east side of the state have confirmed another case of the measles in Michigan.
On Tuesday, the Detroit Health Department confirmed that a 4-year-old had tested positive for the virus and had been at three locations where they could have exposed other people.
The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services confirmed with News 8 that it is the fifth known case confirmed in the state this year, along with two in Washtenaw County, one in Oakland County and another in Wayne County.
It is part of an upswing in cases of a disease that was once considered eradicated after a safe and effective vaccine was released. But a dip in vaccination rates allowed the virus to return. According to the MDHHS, vaccination rates in Michigan have dropped even more following the COVID-19 pandemic. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine rate for kids aged 4 to 6 years old has dropped from 89.4% in 2017 to 84% in 2022.
Amid measles uptick, health department encourages vaccination
Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air and through direct person-to-person contact. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present.
Symptoms typically start within 7 to 14 days of exposure but can appear up to three weeks after initial exposure. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. It also comes with a signature rash that is red, raised and blotchy. It typically starts on the face before spreading to the torso, arms and legs. The disease commonly causes tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth two to three days after initial symptoms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 113 cases have already been reported this year across 18 states. More than half of the cases are in Illinois due to a large outbreak in Chicago. Half of all known cases are in children younger than 5. Of the 113 cases, 83% of them were either unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown. Only in 5% of the cases did the patients have both MMR doses.
The MDHHS recommends everyone at least 12 months old take the vaccine to protect themselves and those around them.
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“The measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe. A single dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles, while two doses are about 97% effective. It is also effective if used within 72 hours of a measles exposure to prevent illness,” the agency said in a statement.
Michigan residents can contact their doctor or their local health department for ways to schedule an appointment to get the vaccine.
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