LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) -- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday the number of measles cases in Southeast Michigan has jumped again, reporting one of the newly confirmed cases is an eight-month-old baby.
MDHHS confirmed four new cases of the highly contagious disease, bringing the total to 34 confirmed cases, 33 of which are in Oakland County, with one in Wayne County.
The Health Department says this is the highest number of measles cases in Michigan in nearly 30 years, while there have been nearly 400 cases across 15 states -- the highest number of cases in the country since 1991.
MDHHS says it is working closely with the Oakland and Wayne County health departments to identify possible exposure locations.
Known exposure sites in Oakland County are listed at Oakgov.com/health. Additional sites of potential exposures may be identified.
The latest list of sites where people in Oakland County may have been exposed to the disease include:
Health officials say the measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe. A single dose of measles vaccine protects about 95 percent of children, but after two doses, almost 100 percent are immune. The first of two routine childhood measles vaccine doses is given at 12-15 months of age. A second vaccine dose is given before the start of kindergarten, between ages 4 and 6.
MDHHS follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and does not recommend routine measles vaccinations for children less than a year old, unless there is a suspected measles exposure; there is thought to be an imminent measles exposure such as being in areas of known measles; or international travel planned.
You cannot get measles from the vaccine. It is effective when given within 72 hours of exposure to prevent illness. In addition, immune globulin (Ig) treatment is effective within six days of exposure for high-risk individuals. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if immune globulin is right for you.
High-risk individuals include those who are unvaccinated or unsure about vaccination status, pregnant women and those who are immune-compromised (have a weakened immune system due to illness and diseases like HIV, malnutrition and/or medications).
The Wayne County Health Department offers walk-in vaccination at 33030 Van Born Road, Wayne on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 – 11 a.m. and 12:30 – 4 p.m. and on Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 3:30 – 7 p.m. Call 734-727-7101 for more information.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air.