First measles case in the state confirmed in Oakland County

OAKLAND, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Oakland County Health Division have confirmed an adult case of measles in Oakland County. This is the first confirmed case of measles in Michigan this year and the first case since July 2024.

The infected adult had recent overseas travel and their vaccination status is unknown.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air. MDHHS recommends unvaccinated individuals ages 1 year and older receive measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them.

"This case of measles is a reminder of how easily this highly contagious disease can spread, particularly with international travel," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. "Vaccination remains our best defense against measles and is highly efficient at protecting individuals and preventing outbreaks. We urge Michigan residents, especially those planning to travel, to check their vaccination status and get the MMR vaccine if needed. Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if symptoms develop."

Individuals who visited the following locations during these days/times, may have been exposed to measles:

• Kruse & Muer on Main at 327 S. Main Street in Rochester Friday, March 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Henry Ford Rochester Hospital Emergency Department at 1101 W. University Drive in Rochester:
  • Saturday, March 8, from 3:40 a.m. to Sunday, March 9, at 9:32 a.m.
  • Tuesday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Additional sites of potential exposure may be identified as more information becomes available.

If you think you were exposed to measles on or after March 10, Immune Globulin (Ig) treatment is effective within six days of exposure for high-risk individuals. High-risk individuals include those who are pregnant and those who have a weakened immune system due to illness and disease including diabetes or HIV, malnutrition and/or medications.

If you think you were exposed to measles prior to March 10, monitor for symptoms for 21 days after potential exposure date. If symptoms develop, call your health care provider. Individuals born in or before 1957 are considered immune.

"Unvaccinated individuals need to get vaccinated. If you do not have a record of two measles (MMR) vaccines, unsure if you have been vaccinated, or unsure if you have had measles in the past, contact your health care provider," said Kate Guzmán, health officer for Oakland County. "If symptoms develop, do not visit your doctor or emergency room unless you call ahead so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals."

Measles can live for up to two hours in the air where an infected person coughed or sneezed. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure, and may include:

• High fever (may spike to over 104°F).
• Cough.
• Runny nose.
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms begin.
• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin.

The MMR vaccine is available through some health care providers, Oakland County Health Division offices in Southfield and Pontiac, and many pharmacies.

Health Division offices are located at the following addresses:

• North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, Pontiac.
• South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield.

Health Division clinics hours:

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Visit www.oakgov.com/health for more information on measles, or contact Nurse on Call, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. Nurse on Call will be available until 7 p.m. on Friday, March 14, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 15.

For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and X. For more information about measles, click here.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Bill Mullan, Oakland County Public Information Officer, 248-202-9668

Laina Stebbins, MDHHS, 517-230-8984