Oakland County confirms Michigan’s first measles case since 2019

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging residents to take precautions after the first case of measles since 2019 was confirmed Friday in the state.

The state health department is recommending unvaccinated individuals ages 1 year and older get a measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them, officials said Friday in a news release. The first confirmed measles case was detected in an Oakland County child associated with international travel, officials reported.

Working alongside the Oakland County Health Division on the case, state health department officials said they believed there were no additional exposures outside of the household based on when symptoms began. Still, officials advised that families remain current on their vaccinations against the highly contagious disease.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves and our loved ones from potential outbreaks of diseases like measles,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive. “It is important to make sure our families are up to date on all routine vaccines to prevent the spread of severe illness and disease. Now is a great time to check with your health care provider to make sure you are current with all your vaccines.”

News of the first confirmed measles case in the state come amid a decline in routine immunizations across the country, including in Michigan.

“Statewide, vaccine coverage for the MMR (two doses) vaccine for children ages 4 to 6 years old has decreased from 89.4% in 2017 to 84% in 2022,” the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported. “For children ages 19 through 35 months of age, vaccine coverage has decreased from 84.7% in April 2020 to 83.6% in December 2023.”

The disease caused by a virus that spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, according to the World Health Organization. Although measles can affect anyone, it is most common in children, the agency said.

The disease can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present, state health officials added.

Symptoms of measles usually begin within seven to 14 days after exposure and can appear up to 21 days after exposure. They include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, tiny white spots on the inner cheeks and rashes, officials said.

Michigan residents were advised to contact their health care provider or visit their local health department for additional information.

jaimery@detroitnews.com