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00000178-73c0-ddab-a97a-7bf830af0000From debate over childhood vaccinations to the changing business of hospital finance, IPR has the stories of hospitals and public health that affect northern Michigan.

Two measles cases confirmed in Grand Traverse County

Grand Traverse County could be facing an outbreak of measles following a pair of confirmed cases of the disease. 

Two siblings, ages 19 and 20, apparently contracted the disease while on a recent trip to the Philippines. That country has had a serious measles outbreak over the last year, with more than 50,000 reported cases and more than 100 deaths.

The two siblings had not been vaccinated against measles.

Dr. Michael Collins, Medical Director for the Grand Traverse County Health Department, said the pair was hospitalized for a few days but has since been released. Collins says they no longer pose a threat to the broader community but he thinks it’s "likely" they infected other people before they became sick.

“Presumably, there’s been a chance for community exposure in the days before they became symptomatic,” said Collins. “So, to tell you the truth, I think we’re more or less expecting that we will see more cases in the community.”

The health department is investigating who may have come into contact with the two siblings. Several people have been isolated and are being monitored for symptoms.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be fatal for some patients. Symptoms include fever, coughing and a rash that usually spreads from the head to the rest of the body.

Collins said the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective at preventing measles. The vaccine provides lifelong immunity to the disease and works relatively quickly.

“It’s certainly not too late for people to get the vaccine now if they hadn’t previously had it,’ said Collins. “We would strongly recommend that."

The two measles cases are the first to be confirmed in Michigan this year.