Possible measles exposure in Jackson County
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Jackson County health officials are raising alarms for people who may have visited the Henry Ford Jackson Emergency Department on March 10.
In a news release, the Jackson County Health Department announced an individual who was diagnosed with measles was in the emergency department. This case was related to another case in Washtenaw County.
The exposures may have occurred at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital Emergency Department, 205 N. East Ave., Jackson MI 49201 on March 10, 2024 between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Health officials noted the virus that causes measles can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.
A person who has experienced an exposure can receive a vaccine to help prevent developing an infection. But that has to be administered within 72 hours of the exposure. That timeframe has passed for any exposure on March 10.
“Anyone potentially exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms develop, such as fever, respiratory symptoms, or rash, call ahead before visiting a doctor, urgent care, or emergency room so they can take precautions to avoid exposing others,” health officials reported in the news release.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air. Measles is so contagious that ninety percent of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become infected. Infected people can spread measles before noticing symptoms, including from four days before through four days after the rash appears.
Measles can lead to serious complications including hospitalization and long-term illness, and death. About one in five people who get measles will be hospitalized. One in 20 children who contract measles will develop pneumonia and up to three children who contract measles in 1,000 will die. 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) two to three days after symptoms begin.
· A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin.
Jackson County Health Department News Release information March 22, 2024
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports that as of March 7, 2024, Michigan had two confirmed cases of measles. The state is one of 17 states experiencing measles cases. As of March 7, there were 41 confirmed cases in the 16 other states.
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