The Detroit Health Department is investigating a confirmed case of measles in a 4-year-old and alerting the public of potential exposure to the highly contagious virus.
Detroit is working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and others to prevent additional cases. The infected child visited three healthcare locations this month for medical treatment. The family is following isolation protocols, according to a news release.
Related:
- Michigan has first measles case since 2019 as cases climb nationwide
- Measles in Michigan: Three counties with confirmed cases
- Michigan kindergarten vaccinations plunge. What’s the rate in your school?
At this time, no other cases have been associated with the child’s case, which was suspected April 3 and confirmed Tuesday.
“Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air,” Detroit Health Department Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo said in a Wednesday statement.
Fair Razo noted that while the case appears to be isolated, “we want everyone to be aware that measles is so contagious that 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become infected.”
About one in five people who get measles will be hospitalized and the virus can lead to serious complications including hospitalization, long-term illness, and death.
Symptoms might include high fever (104 degrees or more), 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 as well as a red, raised, blotchy rash that usually starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body.
Infected individuals can spread measles up to four days before and four days after a rash associated with the virus appears.
Individuals present at the following locations on these dates and around these times might have been exposed:
- Acadian Urgent Care, 2117 Springwells, Detroit, April 1, noon – 3 p.m.
- Rite Health Pharmacy, 5851 West Vernor, Detroit, April 1, 1:45 – 4 p.m.
- Children’s Hospital of Michigan Emergency Room, Beaubien Blvd., Detroit, April 3,
- 5 – 10 a.m.
Measles symptoms usually begin within 7 to 14 days of exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms or who have experienced symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for guidance. Detroit health officials recommend individuals call ahead to doctor and urgent care offices or emergency rooms so precautions to avoid exposure can be taken.
“Our best advice is to get vaccinated against measles if you have not already done so,” Fair Razo added. “It is part of the two-dose Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) series of childhood vaccines.”
Michigan in February confirmed its first case of measles since 2019. In March, three counties in the state had confirmed cases. As of April 5, there have been 113 cases in 18 states in 2024, and 58% of individuals were hospitalized for isolation or management, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Anyone who thinks they might have been exposed to measles can receive the MMR vaccine and start benefiting from it within 72 hours. Those who cannot receive the MMR vaccine, or who have been exposed more than 72 hours ago might be able to receive post-exposure treatment, which, if administered within 6 days of exposure, could prevent measles.
The Detroit Health Department offers vaccinations for measles and all childhood vaccination series, plus COVID-19, flu and Mpox at its Immunizations Clinic at 100 Mack Avenue. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Walk-ins are welcome from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and late hours are available on the first and third Thursday of each month, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
In general, individuals who have received two appropriately spaced doses of the measles vaccine (MMR) are considered immune. For children, the first dose of MMR vaccine is routinely given at about 12 months and the second starting at age 4. Also, adults born before 1957 or who have evidence of prior measles illness are considered immune.
For more information,, visit the Detroit Health Department website or call 313-876-IMMS (4667).
