Michigan is experiencing its largest measles outbreak since 1991. There have been 41 reported cases in Southeast Michigan.
There have been 41 reported cases of measles in Michigan this year alone, the highest number since 1991. The state is one of 15 experiencing outbreaks of the disease.
Lynn Sutfin, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, said it’s important to take certain precautions if you think you may be infected.
“We ask that individuals call ahead, call your doctor’s office, tell them you think you might have measles, or the emergency room, wherever you’re going to be seen,” she said, “They need to take precautions to ensure it doesn’t spread to anyone else in the facility, so call ahead and let them know what it is you think you may have.”
Sutfin said certain populations are especially vulnerable to the disease.
“Anybody who’s not been vaccinated, those are the most at risk, and that’s going to include infants, because typically the first vaccination isn’t given until one year, older individuals can be, pregnant women, so those are the folks that really need to be careful around that.”
Sutfin said measles is airborne and extremely contagious. She said it can remain in the air for about two hours after an infected person has been in the area.
Update: The state has conducted additional testing and reduced the number of cases from 41 to 39. Two children originally reported as being infected with the disease were found to have recently had the vaccine. The other 39 cases have been confirmed measles cases.
More information about the measles outbreak in Michigan can be found at the Department of Health and Human Services website:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-73971_4911_4914_68359-492981--,00.html