UPDATED 4/17/2019 9:52 AM
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Washtenaw County Health Department confirmed on April 12, 2019 a case of measles related to international travel. The health departments are alerting the public to potential exposure to measles several locations. This case is not part of the current Michigan outbreak and has no recent vaccination.
In addition, an individual that is part of the Michigan outbreak visited one Washtenaw County location on April 12, 2019.
Exposure locations
Anyone at any of the following locations during the dates and times provided should monitor themselves for rash with fever or other symptoms consistent with measles for 21 days. If you suspect measles, seek immediate medical treatment. Residents are urged to call their doctor or emergency room before arriving so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals. Please do not contact the businesses listed below for information.
April 12, 2019
- BP Gas Station at 1166 Ecorse Road, Ypsilanti on April 12 from 11am to 2pm. This only applies to people who went inside the gas station. Measles does not spread as easily outside.
April 6, 2019
- CVS Pharmacy, 1700 S Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor on April 6 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
- Woodbury Gardens Apartments leasing office and clubhouse, 1245 Astor Ave, Ann Arbor on April 6 from 11am to 1:30pm
- Lucky’s Market, 1919 S Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor on April 6 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
- Michigan Flyer-AirRide bus on April 6 from 3:15pm to 6:00pm
- DTW airport (McNamara Terminal) on April 6 from 3:55pm to 7:30pm
April 5, 2019
- Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery, 311 S Main St, Ann Arbor on April 5 from 12:30pm to 4:30pm
- Blank Slate Creamery, 300 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor on April 5 from 2:30pm to 6:00pm
- University of Michigan Angell Hall Courtyard Computing Site (a.k.a. The Fishbowl), 435 State Street, Ann Arbor on April 5 from 4:00pm to 10:30pm
- Asian Legend, 516 E William St, Ann Arbor on April 5 from 8:30pm to 10:30pm
- Walgreens Pharmacy, 317 S State St, Ann Arbor from April 5 at 9:30pm to April 6 at 12:00am (midnight)
- CVS Pharmacy, 209 S State St, Ann Arbor from April 5 at 9:30pm to April 6 at 12:00am (midnight)
April 4, 2019
- Mani Osteria and Bar, 341 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor on April 4 from 11am to 2pm
- Encore Records, 417 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor on April 4 from 12pm to 3pm
- University of Michigan Angell Hall Courtyard Computing Site (a.k.a. The Fishbowl), 435 State Street, Ann Arbor on April 4 from 1pm to 6pm
- University of Michigan Intramural Sports Building, 606 E Hoover Avenue, Ann Arbor on April 4 from 4 to 7 p.m.
April 3, 2019
- University of Michigan North Quad Complex, 105 S State Street, Ann Arbor on April 3 from 8:30a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- University of Michigan Intramural Sports Building, 606 E Hoover Avenue, Ann Arbor on April 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
- NeoPapalis, 500 E William Street, Ann Arbor, April 3, 9pm to 11 pm
April 2, 2019
- Lan City Hand Pulled Noodle, 2612 Washtenaw Avenue, Ypsilanti, April 2, 6 to 10 p.m.
- Whole Foods, 3135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor on April 2, 8 to 11 p.m.
April 1, 2019
- University of Michigan Intramural Sports Building, 606 E Hoover Avenue, Ann Arbor on April 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Lucky’s Market, 1919 S Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor on April 1 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Because measles can be spread through the air by an infected person, the public is being alerted to the potential exposures. A person with measles is contagious for four days before and four days after the rash appears. A person can be infected with measles just by being in the same room as an infected person, even up to two hours after the infected person has left.
Who should get vaccinated?
Everyone potentially exposed at the above sites is already outside of the time period for the MMR to prevent infection in unvaccinated, exposed individuals (72 hours). However, all Michiganders are encouraged to check and update their measles vaccination. Immune globulin (Ig) treatment is effective within six days of exposure for high-risk individuals (infants too young for vaccination, pregnant women and severely immune compromised). Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if immune globulin is right for you. If you are already vaccinated with two doses, have a history of natural illness or lab-confirmed immunity, you are considered immune. See specific guidelines below, or in this PDF.
Vaccination
Washtenaw County Health Department can provide vaccine with no charge to individuals with Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan insurance or who are uninsured or underinsured. Call the Health Department at 734-544-6700 to make an appointment. Please bring your insurance card. For others, fees may apply. If you have another form of private insurance, contact your healthcare provider first for the vaccine.
The MMR vaccine is also available through primary health care providers and at some local pharmacies.
About the vaccine
- Having two doses of MMR vaccine at least 28 days apart is fully protective. Having only one dose of MMR vaccine is approximately 93 percent protective.
- If exposed, approximately 90 percent of people who have NOT been vaccinated or previously had measles will develop the disease.
- The first dose of the vaccine is routinely given to children after their first birthday. The second dose is routinely given before kindergarten. However, if a child has been exposed to measles, you should consider an accelerated second dose (at least 28 days after the first dose).
- Vaccination is not necessary if an individual has a prior history of measles illness.
- Individuals born before 1957 are assumed to have natural immunity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- If you do not have a record of two documented measles (MMR) vaccines, or if you are unsure if you have been vaccinated or have had measles in the past, contact your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated. The MMR vaccine is available through primary health care providers and at some local pharmacies. You can also contact the Washtenaw County Health Department at 734-544-6700.
- You cannot get measles from the vaccine.
About measles
Measles (rubeola) is an extremely contagious disease caused by the measles virus. Measles can cause complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Measles can also cause miscarriages or premature delivery in pregnant women.
What are the symptoms of measles?
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth 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
How long after exposure do symptoms begin?
Symptoms usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear as long as 21 days after exposure. If symptoms develop, do not visit your doctor, urgent care or emergency room unless you call ahead so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals.
How is measles spread?
Measles is easily spread by person-to-person direct contact and airborne spread of droplets from the nose, throat, and mouth through sneezing, coughing, and speaking. A person can be infected with measles just by being in a room with an infected person, even up to 2 hours after the infected person has left.
How long is a person contagious?
Measles can be spread 4 days before developing the rash through 4 days after the rash appears. Measles is highly contagious.
Redacted Washtenaw County case
The Washtenaw County case announced April 8, 2019 is no longer considered a case. One child in Washtenaw County had been potentially exposed to measles and had been recently vaccinated. Their symptoms and initial test results classified them as measles cases. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocol, additional genotype testing was conducted and determined it was not a measles case.
Initial testing by MDHHS was positive for measles. The MMR vaccine contains a weakened live virus that cannot cause measles but can result in positive lab tests.
The MMR vaccine has the potential to cause a mild rash and fever. This is a vaccine reaction, not measles, and the individual is not infectious. Due to the evolving measles outbreak in Southeast Michigan, the Washtenaw County Health Department took appropriate steps to limit further spread of measles and responded to protect the public’s health by:
- Promptly alerting the public about potential exposure sites.
- Identifying potential contacts.
- Offering post-exposure protection with either MMR vaccine or immune globulin (IG).
IG is safe and well-tolerated and provides effective short-term protection to recipients by giving them antibodies needed to fight off measles. This protection goes away after a few months, so recipients are urged to follow standard vaccination schedules.
These previously identified sites are no longer considered exposure locations at this time:
- Jewish Community Center of Ann Arbor
- Olive Garden restaurant in Ann Arbor
- Liberty Athletic Club in Ann Arbor
We are grateful for the support and cooperation of the individuals, families and organizations impacted as well as the entire community. We are still encouraging everyone to ensure they are fully vaccinated.
Reliable measles information