Measles Exposure Sites In Washtenaw County Released

MICHIGAN — The measles outbreak in Michigan has now hit the third county: Washtenaw. Health officials have just released a list of exposure sites.

With two newly-confirmed cases this week, the outbreak has largely been based in Oakland County but has spread to Wayne and Washtenaw counties, bringing the case count to 39 in Oakland County, one in Washtenaw County and one in Wayne County.

Infected individuals range in age from 8 months to 63 years, health officials have said.

Here are the Washtenaw County exposure sites:

• Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor, 2935 Birch Hollow Drive on April 1 - 4 & April 8 from 7:45 am to 6:30 pm. This includes families using the daycare program or individuals entering or exiting the facility.
• Olive Garden Italian Kitchen, 445 Eisenhower Parkway on April 1 from 5 to 7 pm.
• Liberty Athletic Club, 2975 W. Liberty Road on April 7 from 1 to 3:45 pm. This includes individuals entering and exiting the facility and anyone using the pool or family locker room during the specified time

Known exposure sites in Oakland County are listed at Oakgov.com/health.

The Washtenaw County Health Department is hosting a walk-in vaccination clinic April 9, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and on April 10, 5 to 7 p.m. at 555 Towner Street in Ypsilanti.

The measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe. A single dose of measles vaccine protects about 95 percent of children, but after two doses, almost 100 percent are immune. The first of two routine childhood measles vaccine doses is given at 12-15 months of age. A second vaccine dose is given before the start of kindergarten, between ages 4 and 6 years. MDHHS follows Centers form Disease Control and Prevention guidance and does not recommend routine measles vaccinations for children less than 12 months of age unless there is a suspected measles exposure; there is thought to be an imminent measles exposure such as being in areas of known measles; or international travel planned.

For international travel, infants as young as 6 months should be vaccinated against measles. Measles vaccine, or other acceptable documentation of immunity to measles, is recommended for all persons travelling internationally.

You cannot get measles from the vaccine. It can be effective when given within 72 hours of exposure to prevent illness. In addition, immune globulin (Ig) treatment is effective within six days of exposure for high-risk individuals. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if immune globulin is right for you.

High-risk individuals include those who are unvaccinated or unsure about vaccination status, pregnant women and those who are immune-compromised (have a weakened immune system due to illness and diseases like HIV, malnutrition and/or medications).

This is the highest number of measles in the state since 1991 when 65 cases were reported. So far this year in the U.S., there have been 465 cases of measles confirmed in 19 states. Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air.

The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may 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) 2-3 days after symptoms begin.
• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms, and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin.

If symptoms develop, residents are urged to call their doctor or emergency room before arriving so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals.

For more information about measles, visit CDC.gov/measles. For more information about Michigan's current measles outbreak, visit Michigan.gov/MeaslesOutbreak.