Health Department confirms 7th measles case in Washtenaw
submitted by Susan Ringler-Cerniglia, Washtenaw County Health Department
Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) is confirming a seventh case of measles in a Washtenaw County unvaccinated child who was a close contact of the first case reported on March 11. Unfortunately, this most recent case may have exposed others at a local health care facility.
Additionally, the suspect case announced on March 21 is now a confirmed case. This means the public exposure locations for March 17 (Washtenaw Community College and Kroger on Whittaker Rd) are confirmed as possible measles exposure locations.
“As we’re seeing, measles spreads rapidly when people are unprotected by vaccination or prior illness,” says Juan Luis Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department. “We urge everyone who might have been exposed to follow public health guidance to protect others.
“We advise anyone unvaccinated or not already immune to stay away from others for a full 21 days after a measles exposure,” continues Marquez.
If you may have been exposed to measles within the last 21 days, call ahead before seeking medical care and tell them you may have measles. This allows health care providers to take action to protect others from potential exposure.
The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air, and individuals who were present at the following location during the listed date and time may have been exposed:
Anyone at the above location should monitor themselves for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the exposure. If symptoms appear, do not seek medical treatment in person without calling the doctor’s office, urgent care, or emergency room first.
People with two appropriately spaced doses of measles vaccine (MMR) are considered immune. Additionally, adults born before 1957 or those who have evidence of prior measles illness are considered immune. People who are immune who may have been exposed only need to monitor for symptoms after an exposure.
WCHD recommends that people who are not immune stay home and avoid all public settings through 4/11 for this exposure. This precaution is necessary because people who are not immune could develop measles during the 7–21–day incubation period and may be contagious before symptoms appear.
The Health Department is working with Trinity Health to contact anyone potentially exposed who is not already considered immune.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air. 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; and a rash that is red, raised, and blotchy that usually starts on the face, spreading to trunk, arms, and legs 3–5 days after symptoms begin.
This is an ongoing investigation. Please visit our website for updates, including the complete list of public-exposure locations, resources, and additional information about measles and MMR vaccination: https://bit.ly/mea26.
The Washtenaw County Health Department promotes health and works to prevent disease and injury in our community. Our mission is to assure, in partnership with the community, the conditions necessary for people to live healthy lives through prevention and protection programs.
Visit us at washtenaw.org/health or call 734-544-6700. The Health Department also provides frequent social media updates (@wcpublichealth) and sends regular email updates; sign up at bit.ly/WCHD555.
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