Measles Outbreak in Wayne County Exposes Residents

In Wayne County, a local resident who was tested positive with measles has reportedly exposed others to the dangerous virus. The person, an adult who recently traveled abroad, has exposed the virus at two medical sites, one in Canton and the other in Livonia during the period of July 25-July 29. This range of possible contagion resulted in a massive concern for the local Health Departments.

What makes this event more concerning is that Measles is tremendously infectious. Its potency is such that the Measles virus can still linger in the air for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the area. Any non-vaccinated being who gets exposed to this enviornment has a 90% chance of being infected.

The two facilities that were exposed by this individual are:

• The waiting area at Michigan Medicine Canton Health Center, 1051 N. Canton Center Road
• Trinity Health IHA Urgent Care’s Schoolcraft Campus, 19000 St. Joe’s Parkway, suite 140, Livonia

The local Health Department recommends anyone who visited these locations between July 25-29 and who isn’t fully vaccinated or uncertain about their vaccination status to do a follow up. This entails filling out an online form to get recommendations and start monitoring for any symptoms. In case of being infected, people up to the sixth day of exposure could qualify for a post-exposure treatment that could help prevent the virus from becoming fully airborne or possibly make the illness milder.

Symptoms of Measles include fever, respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes. A few days after the symptoms begin, there could be a development of tiny white spots, commonly known as Koplik spots, within the mouth. Days later, a red, raised and blotchy rash will appear, usually starting from the face and then spreading to the rest of the body.

Measles is no small matter; it can cause grave illnesses, long-term disabilities and even death at times. As of 2024, nearly half of the 188 people tested positive with Measles in the U.S. had been hospitalized for the treatment of complications. Majority of these hospitalizations were among children. It has been reported that roughly 1-3 out of every 1,000 kids diagnosed with Measles have died from respiratory or neurological complications arising from the virus.

How can we prevent it? The most effective way to prevent Measles is to get vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. It’s been proven that two doses of the vaccine can be 97% effective at preventing Measles. Anyone born during or after 1957 without any proof of immunity against Measles or documentation of having been vaccinated twice with MMR vaccine is highly recommended to get vaccinated. A second dose is also recommended but it should be given not sooner than 28 days after the first dose.

Vaccines can be acquired through primary care providers and pharmacies. Most state-run Insurance programs, including Medicaid, cover the costs of the MMR vaccine. The Wayne County Health Department also provides low to no-cost vaccines at their offices. To learn more about obtaining a vaccine from the county, interested bodies can access their website.

As of this year, seven cases of Measles have been reported in Michigan, this recent case in Wayne County being the seventh one. This continues to stress the importance of getting vaccinated. Don’t wait till it’s too late, get vaccinated today!