Oakland Co. warns of measles exposure at Commerce Twp. emergency room

Charles E. Ramirez, cramirez@detroitnews.com

Oakland County officers confirmed a case of measles in a baby on Tuesday, making it the county’s second case this yr.

The Oakland County Well being Division mentioned the people who have been within the emergency room at Detroit Medical Middle’s Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township on Dec. 7 from 7:20 p.m. to 11:10 p.m. might have been uncovered.

The division additionally mentioned officers are working with the hospital to determine individuals who might have been uncovered to allow them to be related with assets and suggestions.

Measles is a contagious, extremely contagious respiratory illness that spreads by means of coughing and sneezing. Signs embody rash, fever, cough, runny nostril and crimson eyes. An an infection may be severe and result in pneumonia or encephalitis.

The virus can survive for as much as two hours within the air the place an contaminated individual coughed or sneezed.

Individuals who have been within the hospital on December 7 ought to monitor themselves for fever, rash and different signs much like measles. Signs often start 7-14 days after publicity, however can happen as much as 21 days after publicity. Anybody with signs of measles ought to name their healthcare supplier.

“Vaccination is the simplest instrument we now have to forestall the unfold of measles,” Oakland County Well being Officer Kate Guzman mentioned in an announcement. “The measles vaccine helps defend essentially the most weak in our group, together with infants, youngsters with medical situations and others who can’t be vaccinated.”

Oakland County officers confirmed the county’s first case of measles in June. The case was present in an individual from one other county who visited a medical workplace constructing in Rochester Hills.

Michigan has had 30 confirmed instances of measles this yr, based on a Michigan Division of Well being and Human Providers dashboard final up to date Tuesday.

Osceola County has reported essentially the most measles instances within the state this yr, with seven instances. Grand Traverse, Kent and Montcalm have the subsequent highest variety of instances at 4 every.