Fourth suspected measles case reported in Washtenaw County; new exposure locations listed

Fourth suspected measles case in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County Health Department is reporting a fourth suspect case of measles in Washtenaw County and announcing new exposure locations related to this case. The new suspect case was a close contact of the first case announced March 11. This suspect case has symptoms consistent with measles and known exposure, but measles has not yet been confirmed with laboratory testing. "There is a limited time after a potential measles exposure when we can offer vaccine or medication to prevent infection," says Juan Luis Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department. "We are announcing this suspect case immediately because the last day for exposed infants and pregnant or immunocompromised individuals to receive preventative IG treatment is Monday." The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air.

(FOX 2) - Health officials are sounding the alarm as measles cases climb in the U.S. and Michigan. 

The chief medical executive said cases were spreading like wildfire after Washtenaw County reported an outbreak of the contagious disease.

On Friday, the local health department's communications director reiterated the concerns of other agencies while emphasizing the solution to stamping down on its spread.

What they're saying:

"Measles is unfortunately one of the most contagious illness we know of," said Susan Ringler-Cerniglia of the Washtenaw County Health Department.

On Saturday the Department announced a fourth-suspected case. 

The first case was due to someone who was unvaccinated traveling back from Florida. They had been exposed to measles before bringing it back to Michigan. 

"That was an adult — an unvaccinated adult who had been in Florida. There is an ongoing outbreak in Florida and presumably they were exposed there, returned to Michigan and then became ill," said Ringler-Cerniglia.

The three additional cases were both among those who were unvaccinated and had close contact with the original case. 

Exposure Sites

There are a number of sites where people could have been exposed due to the current outbreak. They include:

• Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor on March 5
• Cricket Wireless on Ellsworth in Ypsilanti on March 5 and 6
• Crunch Fitness on Wastenaw Avenue in Ypsilanti on March 4
• CVS Pharmacy on Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti on March 6
• Sidetrack Bar & Grill on Cross Street in Ypsilanti on March 4
• T-Mobile on Whittaker Road in Ypsilanti on March 5
• Ypsilanti Urgent Care on W Michigan Ave on March 7
• Crane Liberal Arts (LA) Building in or around Classroom 241 at Washtenaw Community College (WCC)4800 E Huron River Dr., in Ann Arbor, on March 17.
• Gunder Myron (GM) Building In or around Classroom 332 at Washtenaw Community College (WCC)4800 E Huron River Dr., in Ann Arbor, on March 17.
• Kroger on Whittaker Road in Ypsilanti, on March 17.

Anyone at the above  locations during the specific  times and dates  should monitor themselves for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the exposure. If symptoms appear, call your health care provider. Do not seek medical treatment in person without calling the doctor’s office, urgent care, or emergency room  first..

A measles outbreak in Michigan has health officials on edge

County officials are monitoring for more measles cases after three confirmations in Washtenaw County, prompting an outbreak. 

Dig deeper:

 Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air. 

Ringler-Cerniglia said the airspace where someone that's contagious with measles is infectious for two hours after they leave.

And symptoms can be tricky to identify because they look like issues related to any other normal illness.

"Unfortunately, those first symptoms are pretty generic, red watery eyes, you might spike a fever, cough," she said.

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, and blotchy that usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms, and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin

What you can do:

Health officials say the best way to prevent a measles infection is through a vaccine. It is 97% effective at preventing an infection.