WAYNE COUNTY (WWJ) — Health officials in Wayne and Washtenaw Counties have confirmed two new cases of measles; the second and third confirmed case in Michigan this year.
Wayne County Public Health officials announced Sunday morning a case believed to be linked to international travel in an adult is not connected to an Oakland County child who tested positive for the virus last month. The patient's age and hometown were not disclosed.
Washtenaw County health officials later Sunday reported another confirmed case, but did not say where it originated.
The Oakland County child case was Michigan's first since a 2019 outbreak of more than 40 cases across the state. This Oakland County case was also linked to international travel, according to health officials.
The Wayne County Health Department said it is "working closely with the State of Michigan to identify anyone who might have been exposed" to the case. Anyone who meets the following criteria is asked to email the Wayne County Health Division at PHECC@waynecounty.com with their name, best phone number, and address immediately:
• Has not been fully vaccinated for measles (two doses of MMR vaccine) or whose vaccine status is unknown;
• Has not yet been contacted by Wayne County; AND
• Was present at the following locations and times:
• WellStreet/Beaumont Urgent Care at 23100 Michigan Ave in Dearborn on Tues, Feb 27th between 2:00 PM and 5:30 PM
• CVS Pharmacy (#8128) at 2701 S. Telegraph Rd in Dearborn on Tues, Feb 27th between 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM
• Henry Ford GoHealth Urgent Care at 26763 Ford Rd in Dearborn Heights on Thurs, Feb 29th between 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM
• Corewell Emergency Department at 18101 Oakwood Blvd in Dearborn on Thurs, Feb 29th between 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Anyone who meets those criteria is asked to contact the health department to discuss the possibility of post-exposure treatment, which may prevent measles if received within six days of the exposure.
The Washtenaw County Health Department says anyone who was at the Trinity Health Ann Arbor Emergency Department waiting and triage areas on Friday, March 1 from 10:30 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. may have been exposed.
"Anyone present at the above time and date should receive the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine within 72 hours (no later than Monday March 4, 2024) if they are not already considered immune to measles," health officials said in a press release.
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
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease, with serious possible complications including hospitalization, long-term illness, and death. Cases are increasing across the U.S. and outbreaks are occurring nationally and globally.
More information on the virus can be found on the health department's website.
