Mystery solved: how measles arrived in Oakland County and infected 39 people

The man who brought measles to Michigan was identified.

Patient Zero (Michigan) of Michigan traveled to Brooklyn, New York, in early March, in Oakland County to raise funds for charitable works in the Orthodox Jewish community. Oakland County Health Authority the Washington Post.

Up to now, 39 people have been infected with the very contagious respiratory virus. All but one case has been reported in Oakland County.

"Each of our cases had a connection with the original case," said Leigh-Anne Stafford, Oakland County's health officer. The Washington Post.

The man, whose name was not made public, was feverish and coughing when he arrived in Michigan. When he saw a doctor in the Detroit subway, he was prescribed antibiotics for bronchitis. A day later, he complained of a rash, which, according to the doctor, was the result of an allergic reaction.

But the doctor, who had never seen any cases of measles, began to worry about his mistake. Suspecting that the man may have had measles, the doctor contacted health officials and gave them the patient's cell phone number.

But his phone was not working, so health officials quickly turned shot in the Detroit area, Hatzalah, the medical emergency response group of the ultra-Orthodox community. Fortunately, Steve McGraw, Oakland County Emergency Medical Services Manager, was a long-time member of Hatzalah. Without wasting time, McGraw alerted the rabbinical leaders and jumped in his car looking for the patient.

A few hours later, they found it. He was shocked.

"He lowered his head and was very moved," recalls McGraw. "I could tell his face that he was devastated."

Now health officials have been tasked with locating the nearly 30 places he had visited during his stay of a week. There were private homes in Oak Park and Southfield, synagogues where he prayed and studied, as well as kosher markets and pizzerias.

"This guy was infectious throughout the community," McGraw said. "We knew we had really significant exposure. "

A blood test confirmed that the traveler had measles on March 13th.

Health officials have alerted the ultra-Orthodox community to inform about the exposure because measles is highly contagious. The recorded messages were left on about 1,200 cell phones. Hatzalah members searched for people who may have been infected.

In a statement, the Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Grand Detroit encouraged the Jewish community to be vaccinated.

"In order to protect and protect every individual within the larger community, every individual, family and The institution must take the necessary precautions against anyone who chooses not to be vaccinated, "the statement said.

Since then, more than 2,000 people have been vaccinated at three clinics in a synagogue.

Stay on top of Detroit news and views. Sign up for our weekly newsletter published every Wednesday.