What you need to know about measles in Washtenaw County

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — Washtenaw County health officials warned of potential exposure to measles at one local emergency department on Sunday.

The first measles case in Michigan since 2019 was reported on Feb. 23 in an Oakland County child. A third case was also reported in Wayne County on Sunday.

Here’s what you need to know about the measles in Washtenaw County and across the state.

What is measles?

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 seven to 14 days after exposure but can appear up to 21 days after exposure.

It can cause complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis – or inflammation of the brain. Measles can also cause miscarriages or premature delivery in pregnant women.

Symptoms may include:

• High fever, which may spike to over 104 degrees;

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Red, watery eyes

• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin

• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy, usually starting on the face and spreading to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin

Who is at risk?

Health officials are the most concerned with anyone not vaccinated against measles, especially those who may have been in the potential exposure area, said Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia.

County health officials say the exposure possibly happened between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, in the waiting and triage areas at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Emergency Department at 5301 McAuley Drive in Ypsilanti.

Anyone present at the above time and date should receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine within 72 hours or no later than Monday, March 4, if they are not already considered immune to measles.

Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department.

Anyone potentially exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms develop, call ahead before visiting a doctor, urgent care or emergency room so they can take precautions to avoid exposing others.

Those vaccinated as children are considered to have lifelong immunity, Ringler-Cerniglia said. People born before 1957 or who have had prior measles illnesses are also considered immune.

How is measles prevented?

The best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated against it, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department.

The vaccine is given in combination with the mumps and rubella vaccines, known as MMR vaccine. Two MMR injections are needed to be completely immunized.

Those who are not vaccinated against measles can receive the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure to prevent infection.

Typically, children get their first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at four through six years of age, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However if a young infant is exposed, Ringler-Cerniglia said, they can get the vaccine as early as six months of age.

For vaccination and guidance, people should contact their healthcare provider, pharmacy or the Washtenaw County Health Department at 734-544-6700.

How is measles treated?

Besides prevention through vaccinations, there is no specific medicine to cure measles.

Rest, plenty of fluids, and a non-aspirin product – including acetaminophen, ibuprofen – can be used to reduce fever and discomfort associated with the measles. Aspirin should not be used in children with viral illnesses due to cases associated with the development of Reye Syndrome, a rare, serious illness that can affect the liver and brain.

The sick person should stay at home until four days after the appearance of the rash.

Why is measles appearing now?

All three cases of measles in Michigan this year have been related to recent international travel, Ringler-Cerniglia said, which is where most measles cases in the United States come from. However, she said, the reappearance of measles in recent years is also related to a decline in vaccination rates.

“Years ago, we didn’t really get a lot of measles cases, although there are still some that happen in other countries,” Ringler-Cerniglia said. “But as we have declining rates of vaccine coverage, then we have more possibility for those cases to spread.”

Across the United States and in Michigan, routine immunization coverage has dropped, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department. Ringler-Cerniglia said this came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, although it’s unclear what specifically led to the decline.

RELATED: Michigan’s vaccination rates are down. See how your school grades.

Statewide, vaccine coverage for the MMR vaccine for children ages four to six years old has decreased from 89% in 2017 to 84% in 2022. For children ages 19 through 35 months of age, MMR coverage in Washtenaw County has decreased from 90% in 2017 to 81% in 2022.

“In recent years we’ve had that kind of anti-vax sentiment where people have… gotten more concerned about the potential harm of vaccines than the actual illnesses,” Ringler-Cerniglia said. “Most of us nowadays haven’t seen measles or haven’t seen some of these illnesses, because vaccines have mostly eradicated them.”

Ringler-Cerniglia said the COVID-19 pandemic could have also presented barriers to routine healthcare that led to the decline in immunization rates. Illnesses and deaths families may have experienced due to the pandemic could have also been a factor, she said.

“We’re encouraging folks to check their vaccine status and get caught up, if you don’t have some of those routine ones,” she said. “And especially with something like measles that is so easily prevented. It’s a very, very effective vaccine and the protection is lifelong.”

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Ann Arbor” daily newsletter.