Child in Kent County is Michigan’s 17th case of measles this year

• A younger youngster in Kent County traveled internationally with household and now has measles, mentioned provincial well being officers 2 July.
• That is the seventeenth measles retailer in Michigan in 2025.
• The kid uncovered others to measles within the emergency room of Helen Devos Youngsters’s Hospital in Grand Rapids between 11:38 pm 27 and 12:06 pm 28 June.

A younger youngster in Kent County who just lately traveled internationally with household, now has measles, the County Well being Division introduced on July 2.

It’s the second confirmed measles retailer in Kent County Since Aprilmentioned the well being division and is Michigan’s 17th confirmed case of the highly contagious virus in 2025.

“We see a disturbing revival of vaccin-prefectable illnesses similar to measles, each right here and everywhere in the world,” mentioned Dr. Adam London, well being officer for the Kent County Well being Division, in an announcement. “This final case is a reminder that journey to or to areas with fixed outbreaks can endanger weak individuals. Vaccination stays our greatest protection.”

The kid uncovered others to the virus within the first auxiliary rooms of the Helen Devos Youngsters’s Hospital, 100 Michigan St. Ne in Grand Rapids, between 11:38 pm 27 and 12:06 pm 28 June.

Measles are so contagious, it could actually unfold via the air when an individual with the an infection breathes, coughs or sneezes. These viral particles can keep within the air for 2 hours after an individual and infect others.

De Kent County Well being Division mentioned within the latter case that to date just one publicity website has been recognized, however “extra can grow to be obtainable because the investigation continues.”

The rationale that the publicity window within the youngsters’s hospital is shorter than two hours is as a result of it has an air change system that rapidly filters the air and kills viral particles inside 28 minutes, mentioned spokesperson for Kent County Well being Division Christina Anthony.

Everybody who’s uncovered within the hospital is inspired to verify for signs of measles till July 19. Measles signs normally begin 7-14 days after publicity, however it could actually take 21 days after publicity earlier than they seem, the well being division mentioned.

What are the signs of measles?

In accordance with the American Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, measles are signs:

• Fever that may rise above 104 levels.
• Respiratory signs similar to runny nostril, cough.
• Pink, watery eyes that may develop right into a pink eye or conjunctivitis.
• Two to 3 days after the signs start, small white spots, generally known as head -lick spots, can develop on the interior cheeks, the gums and the roof of the mouth.
• Three to 5 days after the signs start, a rash seems that’s purple, raised and spotty. It normally begins on the face and spreads to trunk, legs and arms.

How critical is a measles an infection?

Measles could cause critical sickness, lengthy -term incapacity and loss of life in individuals of all ages.

From July 1, the CDC confirmed 1,267 measles circumstances in 37 states in 2025. Of them, 155 individuals – 12% of the contaminated individual this yr – had been admitted to the hospital and three individuals died.

This yr there have been two outbreaks of measles in Michigan, which is outlined as three epidemiologically linked circumstances. The latest outbreak was confirmed June 23 Via the Grand Traverse County Well being Division and at present consists of three issues.

The Michigan Division of Well being and Human Companies studies that publicity websites are nonetheless sure to that outbreak inside the 21-day lively monitoring window ::

• 5:30 pm-10:30 pm June 12 within the cinema carousel, 4289 Grand Haven Street, Muskegon.
• 12: 30-15.30 am 14 June within the Walmart SuperCenter, 2640 Crossing Circle, Traverse Metropolis.

One other outbreak with four cases was recognized in Montcalm County in April.

The easiest way to stop measles an infection is to be vaccinated, say well being officers. About 92% of individuals confirming this yr in the US in the US weren’t vaccinated whether or not their vaccination standing was unknown, the CDC reported.

One dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (mmr) vaccine affords round 93% safety in opposition to the virus, and two doses supply round 97% cowl, the CDC says. It orders The next for MMR -vaccines:

• A primary dose for kids of 12 months-15 months previous, with a booster dose administered between the ages of 4 and 6.
• Everybody born throughout or after 1957 with out proof of immunity in opposition to measles or documentation of his vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine must be vaccinated.
• People who find themselves uncovered to measles who can not doc immunity in opposition to the virus should obtain prophylaxis after exposure-a dose of the vaccine to probably supply safety inside 72 hours of preliminary publicity or immunoglobulin inside six days after publicity.
• The CDC modified its suggestions in 1989 from one dose of the MMR vaccine to 2 doses, which affords long-term and sturdy safety. Folks born between 1957 and 1989 who solely had one dose of the vaccine can run a better threat of getting into into an outbreak atmosphere virus.

Many medical care suppliers and pharmacies have it obtainable. Furthermore, native well being departments can typically supply the MMR vaccine. In Kent County you’ll find particulars concerning the hours and places of the immunization clinics of the well being division on https://www.kentcountymi.gov/257/clinic-hours-locations.

What ought to I do if I’ve signs of measles?

The well being division of Kent County urges everybody who will get sick with measles -like signs to name a care supplier earlier than visiting a clinic or medical workplace to stop others from being uncovered.

The well being division will be reached from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to five p.m. at 616-632-7228, or you’ll be able to name 2-1-1 for help through the weekend and evenings.

Extra: 2 residents of Michigan with measles have uncovered others to virus in Kent, Oakland Counties

Extra: What are the signs of measles? And different solutions to widespread questions.

“Measles could cause critical illness, particularly in younger youngsters, pregnant individuals and other people with a weakened immune system,” mentioned Dr. Kristin Oldenberg, medical director of Kent County Well being Division, in an announcement. “The MMR vaccine is each protected and really efficient. If you’re unsure about your vaccination standing, that is the time to verify and shield your self and your loved ones.”

Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press Detroit.