Washtenaw County reports second case of measles

Another case of measles has been reported in Washtenaw County, among at least four known cases in Michigan amid a nationwide outbreak in 2024 that has already equaled the case total for all of last year.

On Thursday, the Washtenaw County Health Department reported its second case of measles,  this time in an adult without prior immunity to the disease, who was exposed to the initial Washtenaw case that was connected to a potential exposure at the Trinity Health Ann Arbor Emergency Department waiting and triage areas from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on March 1. 

Michigan’s first case was reported in Oakland County on Feb. 23, and was the first in the state since 2019. An additional case was also reported in Wayne County.

Washtenaw County health officials say that because the measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air, individuals who were present at the following places at the specific times and dates listed may have been exposed:

Anyone present at one of the locations at the above times and dates should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms develop, they need to call ahead before visiting a doctor, urgent care, or emergency room so that precautions can be taken to avoid exposing others.

“This situation illustrates why we work so hard to contain measles,” says Juan Luis Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department. “People without immunity from vaccination or a prior illness are very likely to become ill if exposed, and about 1 in 5 will require hospitalization.”

In addition to airborne transmission, the disease also spreads by direct person-to-person contact, with symptoms usually beginning seven to 14 days after exposure. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 58 cases of measles reported nationwide as of March 14, which equaled all of the measles cases reported in 2023. That prompted a health advisory in which it was noted that “most cases reported in 2024 have been among children aged 12 months and older who had not received measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.”

That lack of vaccination also prompted American Medical Association President Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld to issue a statement.

“As evident from the confirmed measles cases reported in 17 states so far this year, when individuals are not immunized as a matter of personal preference or misinformation, they put themselves and others at risk of disease — including children too young to be vaccinated, cancer patients and other immunocompromised people. The overwhelming scientific evidence shows that vaccines remain among the most effective and safest intervention to both prevent individual illness and protect the health of the public,” he said.

Children are routinely given the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine around 12 months of age and the second dose starting at 4 years old. 

While measles is among the most contagious of diseases, the CDC says the standard measle two-dose vaccination is 97% effective in preventing infection.

“This alert is more urgent for anyone potentially exposed to the confirmed case,” continues Dr. Marquez. “But it is also a critical reminder for everyone to check their vaccination status and confirm protection against measles.” 

Vaccines are available at primary care providers, pharmacies and through the Washtenaw County Health Department, which does accept Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The department also will not decline services if individuals are unable to pay.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccines for Children program also provides children under 18 who are Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, underinsured or who have American Indian or Alaska Native heritage with no-cost vaccines at health care providers offices, pharmacies and health clinics participating in the program.