18 confirmed cases of measles now reported in Oakland County

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The 18 confirmed cases of measles in Oakland County has prompted health officials to offer free vaccinations.

The Oakland County Health Division will be offering the medicine at the Young Israel of Oak Park on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as from Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The service is available following a surge in vaccinations, totaling 970 in three days.

The disease has spread around metro Detroit in the past two weeks. Communities like Oak Park, Berkley, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak and Southfield have been hot spot locations for the disease. Officials are also warning of synagogues and Jewish educational institutions. 

The first confirmed case was March 13 when someone who was visiting from Israel and had stayed in New York, where there's another measels outbreak.

 "The best protection for you and the community is to get vaccinated," said a public health official.

Provided below is a list of locations and dates and times that the disease may have been contracted. High risk individuals who haven't been treated can receive the immune globulin treatment within 6 days of exposure.

March 18 - March 21

Dovid ben Nuchim: 14800 Lincoln St, Oak Park

Farber Hebrew Day School: 21100 West 12 Mile Road, Southfield

March 18

Berkley Medical Center: 1695 W. 12 Mile Rd., Berkley, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Walgreens: 7380 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 9:30 p.m. - Midnight

Kravings: 25270 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, 9:00 p.m. - Midnight

Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak - Emergency Department & 6th Floor North Tower: 3601 W. 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, 2:30 - 11:00 p.m.

Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak - Medical Office Building: 3535 W. 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Crowne Point Office Building: 25900 Greenfield, Oak Park, after 9:00 a.m.
Berkley Urgent Care: 3270 Greenfield Rd, Berkley, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

March 19

Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak - 6th Floor, North Tower: 3601 W. 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, 1:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Berkley Urgent Care: 3270 Greenfield Rd, Berkley, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

March 20

7-Eleven: Lincoln St., 15350 Lincoln, Oak Park, 9:20 - 11:30 p.m.

Ahavas Yisroel: 25952 Greenfield, Oak Park, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Kollel Institute of Greater Detroit: 15230 Lincoln St., Oak Park, 8:00 - 11:30 p.m.

Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit: 24600 Greenfield Rd., Oak Park, 9:00 p.m. - Midnight

March 21


Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak - Emergency Department: 3601 W. 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, 10:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Mapleview Liquor Store: 6084 Maple Rd., West Bloomfield Twp., 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit: 24600 Greenfield Rd., Oak Park, 8:40 - 11:00 a.m.

To view the full list of confirmed exposure locations, visit www.oakgov.com/health.

Special measles vaccination clinics are open to the public tomorrow, Sunday, March 24, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the following locations:

South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, Young Israel of Oak Park, 15140 W 10 Mile Rd., Oak Park
Oakland County Health Division's Nurse on Call phone line will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, to answer any questions. Please call 800-848-5533 or email noc@oakgov.com.

"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 healthcare provider," said Leigh-Anne Stafford, 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."

Watch for symptoms for 21 days after potential exposure. Vaccine is effective within 72 hours of exposure to prevent illness. In addition, Immune Globulin (Ig) treatment is effective within 6 days of exposure for high-risk individuals. Talk to your preferred healthcare provider to determine if Immune Globulin is right for you and if it is available. High-risk individuals include those who are unvaccinated or unsure about vaccination status, pregnant women and those who are immune-compromised (have a weakened immune system due to illness and diseases like HIV, malnutrition, and/or medications).  

MORE: Local schools diligent in hygiene policies amid measles outbreak concerns

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. 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 the 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