Measles trending toward worst year in decades, warns Michigan’s top doc – MLive.com
2025-04-22T15:05:00Z
Michigan has confirmed eight measles cases, the first measles outbreak since 2019. Cases are spread across six counties.
Editor’s note: MDHHS previously said the Eaton County case was confirmed, but it remained under investigation Tuesday.
If the U.S. measles outbreak is a wildfire, Michigan is watching anxiously to see if sporadic embers land in particularly vulnerable communities.
As a state, about 90% of children entering kindergarten in 2023 were up-to-date on their recommended vaccines, which includes the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
However, there were communities with rates below 70%, and school buildings below 50%, leaving many young residents vulnerable to the highly infectious disease.
“What happens next really depends on where those embers land,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said Monday, April 21.
Michigan has confirmed eight measles cases so far in 2025. Cases are spread across five counties. A ninth potential case is under investigation in Eaton County.
Cases have been confirmed in Ingham, Kent, Macomb, Oakland and Montcalm, the latter of which had four related cases, making it the state’s first measles outbreak since 2019.
RELATE: RFK Jr.’s mixed message about the measles outbreaks draws criticism from health officials
Bagdasarian said she’s been busy speaking to clinicians and various groups about what to look for with measles, the importance of having a facility measles plan in place, and making sure providers have ample supply of MMR vaccines.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is encouraging health care providers to review vaccine records and have discussions with unvaccinated patients about their concerns and the safety and effectiveness of the MMR shot.
“We have this amazing tool that’s been around since the 1960s,” Bagdasarian said of the vaccine. “I’ve studied infectious diseases my entire career; it’s what I specialize in. No doubt, the MMR vaccine is the most useful tool we have to stop measles in its tracks. It pains me people aren’t using it to its full potential.”
Measles is known for its heightened infectiousness. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves, and about 90% of people without immunity will become infected after close contact with an infected person.
RELATED: More Michigan students are waiving required vaccines. Check out your school’s rate.
Symptoms typically begin 7 to 14 days after exposure, though they can wait as long as 21 days, according to health officials.
The first few days may include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red/watery eyes, as well as tiny white spots in their inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth.
Red, raised and blotchy rashes will often follow three to five days later, beginning on the face and spreading to the torso, arms and legs.
In rare cases, measles can cause brain swelling and death. Other complications include ear infections, pneumonia and pregnancy complications.
With 800 confirmed cases before the end of April, the U.S. is on pace for its worst year for measles in decades. Last year finished with 285 cases.
As of Monday, people who aren’t vaccinated or didn’t report their vaccination status accounted for 96% of U.S. cases.
RELATED: When does my baby need a measles vaccine? Do I need a booster?
“I have never been this concerned about measles in my career,” Bagdasarian said.
Most Michiganders don’t need to change their lifestyle or avoid other people in response to the rise in measles spread. That’s because those who have immunity, either from vaccine or prior infection, have about 97% protection against the virus.
Children are advised to get the MMR vaccine around 12 to 15 months, with a second dose between 4 and 6 years. Unvaccinated older children and adults can get two doses at least 28 days apart for full protection.
Bagdasarian called it heartbreaking that some parents could lose their children or agonize over a serious illness from a preventable disease.
“Being a parent myself, there’s nothing more precious to me than my children,” she said. “This is much more than a simple fever and a rash. I hope people will get vaccinated for themselves, for their loved ones, and for their community.”
Before a vaccine was available, an estimated 400 to 500 people in the U.S. died from measles annually. As of mid-April, this year’s death toll was three, including two confirmed deaths of unvaccinated children in Texas. A third death — an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico — remains under investigation.
For more vaccine information, visit Michigan’s webpage on immunization information, or visit ivaccinate.org, a resource founded by Veronica Valentine McNally, who advocates for vaccination after her daughter died of pertussis in 2012.
Auto-posted from news source
About The Author
