LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — State well being officers have confirmed a measles outbreak in Montcalm County.
That is the primary confirmed measles outbreak in Michigan since 2019. There are presently seven confirmed measles instances throughout the state.
Official well being pointers outline a measles outbreak as three or extra associated instances. Montcalm County has met that obligatory threshold. This outbreak is linked to a big, ongoing outbreak in Ontario, Canada, however not related to another confirmed instances within the state.
Presently, officers haven’t shared any new public publicity websites within the state.
Officers say they don’t seem to be sharing any extra details about these instances presently to guard the privateness of these concerned.
Measles is a extremely contagious illness that spreads by way of direct person-to-person contact and the air—and may stay within the air for as much as two hours after an contaminated individual coughs or sneezes.
In case you had been probably uncovered, monitor for the next signs for 21 days from the date of publicity. In accordance with the Ingham County Well being Division, people born in or earlier than 1957 are usually thought of immune.
Excessive fever (probably exceeding 104°F)
Cough
Runny nostril
Purple, watery eyes
Tiny white spots within the mouth
Purple, blotchy rash beginning on the face and spreading to the physique
In case you develop any of those signs, contact your well being care supplier instantly.
The Michigan Division of Well being and Human Companies encourages Michiganders to get vaccinated.
“This outbreak underscores how contagious measles is and how quickly it can spread,” mentioned Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical govt. “The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine stays our greatest protection, and two doses of MMR supply 97% safety towards measles. We urge all Michigan residents to examine their vaccination data to make sure they’re updated with the MMR vaccine.”
