(WWJ) The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed a measles outbreak in Montcalm County, northeast of Grand Rapids.
Health officials said there are three cases on record in total so far this year in Montcalm County.
An outbreak is defined as three or more related cases.
This is the first confirmed outbreak of measles in Michigan since 2019, according to the health department.
There are currently seven confirmed measles cases total in 2025.
The outbreak in Montcalm County was initially linked to a large, ongoing outbreak in Ontario, Canada.
At this time, there are no new public exposure sites to report in Michigan.
At the time the first case was announced in that Montcalm County last week, the Mid-Michigan District Health Department — which covers Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm counties — urged vaccinations.
"At MMDHD, we take action to protect, maintain, and improve the health of our community. Measles is a serious disease, and we want to make sure that our residents are safe," Liz Braddock, health officer for the MMDHD, said in a news release.
"If you have recently traveled to regions with known measles outbreaks, and you are not vaccinated against measles, you should consider getting vaccinated as quickly as you can. It is important to make sure you protect yourself and families from this vaccine-preventable disease."
“This outbreak underscores how contagious measles is and how quickly it can spread,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, in a news release. “The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine remains our best defense, and two doses of MMR offer 97% protection against measles. We urge all Michigan residents to check their vaccination records to ensure they are up to date with the MMR vaccine.”
Officials say the cases reported in Montcalm County are not related to any of the other confirmed cases reported in other Michigan counties. "To protect the privacy of the individuals associated with this outbreak, additional details about these cases will not be shared," the health department stated.
According to the MDHHS, Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that spreads through direct person-to-person contact and through the air. Anyone who is not immune to measles is at risk. Measles symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus, but can take up to 21 days. Common measles symptoms can 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).
- A rash that starts as flat red spots on the face at the hairline, then spreads to the trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin. Small, raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
If you feel you may have been exposed, or if symptoms develop, call your health care provider before seeking treatment so steps can be taken to prevent exposure to other individuals.
The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine, which provides long-lasting protection against the virus. MDHHS and MMDHD strongly encourage individuals ages 1 year and older who have not received the MMR vaccine to do so promptly to protect themselves and others. Vaccines are available at your doctor’s office, most pharmacies and your local health department. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program can receive no-cost vaccination at a provider enrolled in that program.
Health officials note that it's possible people who were vaccinated prior to 1968 received a less-effective version of the vaccine. Those people should contact their health care provider or local pharmacy to see if they are eligible for an additional dose.
If symptoms develop, call your doctor, urgent care, or hospital before seeking treatment so steps can be taken to prevent exposure to others.
To learn more about measles, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Measles Update webpage.