Michigan has reported its first case of measles since the 2019 outbreak.
On Friday, February 23, 2024, Michigan health officials announced that a child in Oakland County has been infected with measles. The child’s case is believed to be related to international travel, and authorities do not believe anyone outside the child’s home was exposed to the virus.
The last measles case in Michigan was during the 2019 outbreak. That year, 46 cases were confirmed across the state.
Measles is a highly contagious and preventable disease caused by a virus. It can be transmitted through direct person-to-person contact or through the air. The measles virus can survive in the air for up to two hours.
Health officials said 90% of unvaccinated people will become infected if exposed to measles.
Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children under 5 years of age. One in every five people who contract measles in the United States requires hospitalization.
Excluding the Michigan case, 35 measles cases have been reported in 15 other states so far this year.
Measles signs and symptoms
The first symptoms of measles usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure, but can take up to 21 days to develop.
Symptoms include:
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High fever (sometimes over 104°F).
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cough.
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snot.
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Red and watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
Koplik spots may appear in the mouth 2 to 3 days after the initial symptoms begin. These are small white spots that appear on the inside of the cheeks, gums, and over the mouth.
A measles rash may appear 3 to 5 days after symptoms begin. It is a red, raised, patchy rash. Usually it starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
If you think you have measles, you should call your doctor or emergency room so they can prepare you to avoid exposing others to the virus.
How effective is the measles vaccine?
Health officials said the vaccine is very safe and highly effective.
According to the CDC, If you are infected with the virus, two doses of measles vaccine are approximately 97% effective in preventing infection. The efficacy rate of a single dose of the vaccine is thought to be approximately 93%. Full protection is considered approximately 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination.
If you have not been vaccinated and have contracted the virus, health officials say getting the measles vaccine within 72 hours of infection can reduce your risk of developing measles.
Some people with weakened immune systems may not be able to receive the vaccine.
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves and our loved ones from potential outbreaks of diseases like measles,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Natasha Baghdasarian. “It is important to ensure that our families are up to date on all routine vaccinations to prevent the spread of serious illness and illness. This is a great time to check with your health care provider.”
2019 Michigan measles outbreak
In 2019, at least 46 measles cases were confirmed in Michigan.
According to the CDC, there were 1,274 measles cases in 31 states that year.
This is the highest number of cases reported in the United States since 1992. The majority of cases were in people who had not been vaccinated against measles.
Just to give you a quick look at the numbers, in 2018 there were 375 incidents and in 2020 there were 13 incidents.
How to check your vaccination status in Michigan
People who have been vaccinated in Michigan can check the vaccination portal to see if their records are available.
To retrieve records, you must be at least 18 years old and have or create a MiLogin account. You must upload an image of your U.S. passport, driver’s license, or state ID.
Click here to obtain your immunization records.
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