Measles cases surge to six-year high with over 700 confirmed in 24 states
There are now over 700 cases of measles across 24 U.S. states, according to CDC data, marking the highest number of cases in six years. (Scripps News)
Scripps News
- A 1-year-old boy from Ingham County was exposed to another child with measles and now has the highly contagious virus.
- The child had one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine but still developed symptoms.
- Others may have been exposed at Lansing Urgent Care – Frandor, 505 N. Clippert St., Lansing, between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. April 15.
(Editor’s note: This story has been updated to change the exposure times at the Lansing Urgent Care – Frandor because the Ingham County Health Department initially provided incorrect times.)
A 1-year-old boy in Ingham County now has the measles, state and county health officials announced April 23, one day after confirming that he was infected following exposure to a 12-month-old girl who also has the highly contagious virus.
The boy’s family was contacted by communicable disease nurses from the Ingham County Health Department after he was exposed to the 12-month-old girl, whose measles infection was confirmed April 15. When he developed symptoms, he was immediately tested.
The boy was vaccinated with an age-appropriate one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, Dr. Nike Shoyinka, the county’s medical health officer, said in a statement. But the single dose wasn’t enough to fully protect him from illness. His symptoms, however, are mild.
“We understand that news of another case may cause concern in our community,” Shoyinka said. “However, this child’s vaccination status helped lessen the severity of illness, and early isolation significantly reduced the risk of transmission.
“This case highlights the importance of timely vaccinations and swift public health response.”
This is at least the eighth confirmed measles case in Michigan so far this year. An outbreak was declared April 17 in Montcalm County, and an additional case in Eaton County is still awaiting confirmation, said Emily Smale, a spokesperson from the Barry-Eaton District Health Department told the Free Press.
The Ingham County boy with measles may have exposed others to the virus between 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. April 15 at Lansing Urgent Care – Frandor, 505 N. Clippert St., Lansing.
Anyone who was at the urgent care center during that time is asked to monitor for symptoms of measles for 21 days from the date of exposure, and should call a doctor if symptoms develop before seeking treatment to ensure precautions can be taken to prevent further exposure.
Measles is so contagious that even after a person infected with the virus leaves a room, 90% of people without immunity to the virus will get sick if they enter the room for up to two hours later. Additionally, a person can be infectious and spreading the disease for as many as four days before the telltale rash develops and for four days after the rash begins, according to the CDC.
What are the symptoms of measles?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles symptoms typically start within seven to 14 days of exposure, but also have been known to appear as long as 21 days after initial exposure and can include:
- Fever, which may rise above 104 degrees.
- Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose and cough.
- Red, watery eyes that can develop into pink eye or conjunctivitis.
- Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots, known as Koplik spots, may develop on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth.
- Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash that is red, raised and blotchy appears. It usually begins on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs.
How serious is a measles infection?
Measles can cause serious illness, long-term disability and death in people of all ages.
So far this year, 85 people in the U.S. with confirmed measles cases have been hospitalized for treatment — that’s about 11% of the 800 confirmed infections nationally as of April 17. The vast majority — 68 of the 85 who were hospitalized — were younger than the age of 20, according to the CDC.
About 1 in 20 children with measles develops pneumonia. Roughly 1 out of every 1,000 children with measles infections will also have encephalitis. Brain swelling from encephalitis can lead to convulsions, permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability and death, according to the CDC.
Anywhere from 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children with measles dies from respiratory or neurologic complications from the virus.
People who contract measles during pregnancy also are more likely to develop pneumonia and be hospitalized. The virus can cause miscarriage and stillbirth as well as trigger preterm birth and lead to lower birth weights, according to the CDC.
The CDC has confirmed two deaths from measles in the U.S. this year. A third death remains under investigation.
How can I protect myself from measles?
“Our recommendation is for everyone to be vaccinated,” Shoyinka said in a previous interview.
One dose of the MMR vaccine provides about 93% protection against the virus, and two doses offer about 97% coverage, the CDC says. It recommends the following for MMR vaccines:
- A first dose for children at 12-15 months old, with a booster dose administered between ages 4 and 6.
- Anyone born during or after 1957 without evidence of immunity against measles or documentation of having been vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine should get vaccinated. The second dose should be given no sooner than 28 days after the first.
- People exposed to measles who cannot document immunity against the virus should get post-exposure prophylaxis — a dose of the vaccine to potentially provide protection within 72 hours of initial exposure, or immunoglobulin within six days of exposure.
- The CDC changed its recommendations in 1989 from one dose of the MMR vaccine to two doses, which provides longer-lasting and more robust protection. People born between 1957 and 1989 who have had just a single dose of the vaccine may be at a higher risk of contracting the virus in an outbreak setting.
Where can I get a measles vaccine?
Ingham County residents can get an MMR vaccine at the health department’s immunization clinic, 303 S. Cedar St., Lansing. (Use entrance No. 3 when entering the building and go to the second floor.) Walk in hours are:
- 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
- 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
- 1-4 p.m. Thursdays.
Call the health department at 517-887-4316 or email [email protected] to make an appointment.
Both county and state health officials said they are continuing efforts to trace the child’s contacts and identify others who may have been been exposed.
Contact Kristen Shamus: [email protected]. Subscribe to the Free Press.
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