Shiv Telegram Media reports first case of measles in Michigan since 2019
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Michigan Reports First Measles Case Since 2019
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the state’s first case of measles since 2019. A child from Oakland County contracted the virus after traveling internationally, leading to concerns about potential exposure in the community.
MDHHS is working closely with the Oakland County Health Division to investigate the case and determine if there have been any additional exposures outside of the child’s household. Measles is highly contagious and can be spread through air and direct person-to-person contact, making it essential to identify and isolate potential cases.
This recent case is part of a concerning trend of increasing measles cases in the last two decades. Despite being considered eradicated for years thanks to a safe and effective vaccine, measles has made a resurgence in various states, with Michigan now joining the list.
To combat the spread of measles, MDHHS recommends that everyone at least 12 months old take the vaccine to protect themselves and those around them. Symptoms of measles typically include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and a distinct red, raised rash that spreads across the body.
Vaccination rates have dropped in recent years, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the MMR vaccine rate for children aged 4 to 6 years old decreasing. However, the measles vaccine is highly effective and safe, with one dose being about 93% effective and two doses up to 97% effective in preventing the disease.
Michigan residents are urged to contact their doctor or local health department to schedule an appointment for the measles vaccine and protect themselves and their communities from this potentially dangerous virus.
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