Health Officials Confirm Measles Case In 4-Year-Old Detroit Child

DETROIT — Detroit health officials are sounding alarm bells Wednesday after identifying a case of measles in a four-year-old child.

"The family of the child with measles is following all isolation protocols," city health officials said in a statement. "At this time, no other cases of measles have been associated with this incident, including among family members of the child who was suspected on April 3rd and confirmed on April 9, 2024."

Health officials warned others may have been exposed at the these locations:

• Acadian Urgent Care, 2117 Springwells, Detroit, April 1, noon–1:30 p.m.
• Rite Health Pharmacy, 5851 West Vernor, Detroit, April 1, 1:45-2 p.m.
• Children’s Hospital of Michigan Emergency Room, Beaubien Boulevard, Detroit, April 3,5–10 a.m.

Anyone who was at those locations on that date during those times should watch for symptoms, and if symptoms pop up they should call their doctor.

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.

"Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air," Denise Fair Razo, the Detroit Health Department's Chief Public Health Officer, said in a statement. "While this case appears to be a single isolated case at this time, we want everyone to be aware that measles is so contagious that 90 percent of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become infected."

The measles case is the fifth case in the metro Detroit area within the last two months. Cases were also reported in Oakland and Washtenaw counties.

The increase in cases come as federal officials said routine childhood vaccine exemptions in Michigan, as well as 40 other states, have reached an all-time high. Data also shows a declining rate for measles vaccinations for Michigan kindergarteners, as coverage for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for children 4 to 6 years old decreased from 89.4 percent in 2017 to 84 percent in 2022.