FOX 2 - A confirmed case of measles is being reported by the Monroe County Health Department Thursday.
Dig deeper:
The health department is working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Washtenaw County Health Department to investigate and prevent additional cases.
The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air. Individuals who were present at the following locations during the listed dates and times may have been exposed to the measles virus:
- March 28, St. Joseph Church of Ida from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m at 8295 Van Aiken Street, Ida, 48140
- March 31, Trinity Health IHA Urgent Care – Milan from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 870 E. Arkona Rd. Suite 105, Milan, 48160
Anyone at the listed locations during the specific times should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days.
If symptoms appear, call ahead before visiting a doctor, urgent care or emergency room so they can take precautions to avoid exposing others.
Those with two, appropriately spaced doses of measles vaccine are considered immune.
Additionally, adults born before 1957 or who have evidence of prior measles illness are considered immune.
For children, the first dose of MMR vaccine is routinely given at about 12 months of age, and the second starting at 4 years of age.
The first dose can be given as early as 6 months. Contact your health care provider, pharmacy or the health department at 734-240-7800 for vaccination and guidance.
For those who are not already immune to measles, vaccination or medication may be given after exposure in some cases to prevent measles (post-exposure prophylaxis):
- A dose of the MMR vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure can prevent illness if not already immune.
- Anyone exposed at the Trinity Health IHA Urgent Care - Milan on March 31 will have through April 3 by 11:30 AM to get vaccinated.
- Immune globulin (IG) is medicine that can prevent illness in high-risk individuals up to six days after exposure. High risk groups include infants under one year old and pregnant or immunocompromised individuals. Contact your health care provider for IG.
- High-risk individuals exposed at St. Joseph Church of Ida on March 28 on can get IG through tomorrow, April 3.
- High-risk individuals exposed at Trinity Health IHA Urgent Care - Milan on March 31 can get IG through April 6.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air. 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 over 104)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin
- A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin.
If symptoms develop, please call your doctor, urgent care, or hospital before seeking treatment.
The measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe.
A single dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles, while two doses are about 97% effective. It is also effective if used within 72 hours of measles exposure to prevent illness.
However, some individuals with weakened immune systems may not be eligible to receive this vaccine.
Getting vaccinated not only protects the individual receiving the vaccine but can also protect vulnerable individuals in our communities from being exposed to this illness.
Call 734-240-7830 to schedule a vaccination appointment at the health department.
Anyone not fully vaccinated against measles is encouraged to do so as soon as possible. About one in five people who get measles will be hospitalized. This is the eighth case reported in Michigan in 2026.
In addition to recent Michigan cases, a total of 1,575 confirmed measles cases have been reported in 32 other states so far in 2026.
Vaccination is available from health care providers, pharmacies and the Monroe County Health Department.
Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program at no-cost.
For more information go to the Monroe County Health Department Measles webpage HERE.
If you have any questions, contact the health department at 734-240-7800.
The Source: Information here is from the Monroe County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.