LATEST: Grand Traverse County is now considered a measles outbreak area, according to the county heath department.
There are now at least three confirmed cases in the county after the first since 2019 was confirmed only last week.
Mike Lahey, the health officer at Grand Traverse County Health Department, said anyone who has not received a vaccine against the disease is at risk, especially children.
“There are age ranges in which those may not be vaccinated for Measles, Mumps and Rubella just yet," Lahey said. "There has been a great deal of interest from those parents of infants in our community asking, what can they do to protect their child?”
Measles symptoms include high fevers, open sores and other health issues. In rare cases it can be fatal.
Those who have symptoms or need a vaccine should reach out to their health care provider or local health department.
“Measles can live in the air in aerosolized droplets up to two hours after an infected person has left the room," Lahey said. "Therefore it is a great time too for folks to just become educated about their own immunization.”
FROM 06/18: Health officials confirmed measles has made its way to Grand Traverse County after a resident picked up the highly contagious diseases while traveling. It’s the first positive case in the county since 2019.
The person was diagnosed at Munson Medical Center, according to the Grand Traverse County Health Department. Officials reached out to those who may have been directly or indirectly exposed. At this time, there are no known public exposures related to the case.
Experts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say measles is “so contagious that if one person has it, 9 out of 10 people of all ages around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected.”
The disease causes high fevers and open sores, and it can lead to other health issues like pneumonia, blindness and brain swelling. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure.
Vaccines mean it’s also a completely preventable disease. But GT Health Department Director of Community Health Jacalyn Money-Bruno said Grand Traverse County’s immunization rates are not where they should be.
“It's safe, it's a highly effective vaccine,” she said. “And unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there and a lot of distrust… If people have questions, they can call us. They can make an appointment, and we're happy to talk through it.”
Children typically receive two shots of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: once when they’re 12 to 15 months old and another when they’re 4 to 6 years old.
Because measles is so contagious, 95% of a population needs to be fully vaccinated in order to claim herd immunity - the point at which a population becomes mostly resistant to a disease.
In March, IPR News found that most northern Michigan counties fall below 95% for the rates of children 19-35 months old that have received at least one MMR vaccine.
“This case is a reminder of how easily measles can spread and the importance of vaccination,” said Mike Lahey, Health Officer at GT Health Department. “The vaccine is highly effective, and we strongly encourage our community to educate themselves about their immunization status and to get vaccinated if they are not protected.”
Health officials are encouraging anyone who may have symptoms to go to a hospital or urgent care to prevent spreading the disease.
