(WWJ) Health officials in Michigan over the weekend confirmed two more cases of the measles in Metro Detroit. Along with one case last week, that makes three now confirmed in the state —all of them in Metro Detroit.
Speaking to WWJ's Taylor Dietz, Dr. Lea, an infectious disease physician at the Detroit Medical Center, said she doesn't think this is the end of it.
"Unfortunately, statistically, this is likely to get worse. We saw our first case in Michigan in nearly five years that happened on February 23rd in Oakland County and someone who had traveled internationally a child," Monday said, in an interview Monday morning.
"And now, as of last night, there's these two additional cases, one in Wayne County and one in Washtenaw County and an adult who had recently traveled overseas. So, based on the way this virus spreads and how infectious it is. This might be just the beginning of potentially more cases."
Monday stressed that measles is a dangerous disease, and is in no way comparable to the common cold, COVID-19, or the flu.
"The thing people have to understand about measles is it's from another era, and it's back again because of these cases that happen in these outbreaks. And so people don't really realize that this is a very, very incredibly infectious virus," Monday said.
"This virus, we use a number in science called 'R naught', which is basically the number of people one sick person will infect. And for something like the flu or COVID, it's two or three. For measles, it's 19.
"Think of it this way: If ten unvaccinated people walk into a room with someone with measles nine will walk out with the disease. It's one of the most contagious infectious entities on the planet," Monday said. Even a small drop in vaccination rates can have profound ripple effects in the community and droplets from sick people can stay infectious for hours or days on surfaces. Airborne droplets from somebody sneezing in a confined space like an airplane or a bus can stay infectious for several hours. So this is way more infectious than the COVID or flu."
Monday stressed that the measles still kills many people outside of the U.S. and surviving an infection doesn't clear you from the possibility of future complications — including fatal brain disorders that set in nearly a decade after being infected with the disease.
She said it's never too late to get vaccinated for the measles, and healthcare workers will not judge you for not being previously vaccinated.
Monday said the MMR vaccine is recommend for everyone age one year and older. She urged unvaccinated people to reconsider.
"I also really want people to know that even if you didn't get vaccinated and you, you think you've been exposed, or you're living in one of these counties, I really encourage you to get the vaccine. It's amazingly effective," Monday added. And even if you were exposed to the measles, it can actually help you have protection against the disease or even have a mild form of the illness, even if you've already been exposed, if you get it soon enough."
Health officials say anyone with possible exposure to measles should monitor themselves for up to 21 days from the date of exposure for the following signs and symptoms:
• 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
This all comes as cases of measles have been recorded in at least 16 states since the start of the year, and experts are worried the United States is on the cusp of another massive outbreak like we experienced in 2019. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 41 confirmed or suspected cases of measles have been reported since Feb. 29 across 16 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.
To learn more about the MMR vaccine, visit Vaccine for Measles (MMR Shot) | CDC.
MORE: Health officials release list of possible exposure sites
