Measles exposure sites reported in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – State health officials have traced the displacement of two newly-arrived measles patients from southeastern Michigan to a handful of localities in the state, including two in Grand Rapids.

The measles virus can live up to two hours in the air in the presence of an infected person. Symptoms of the disease may take 1 to 3 weeks after exposure to appear and Michigan Health and Social Services officials are trying to prevent further exposures after 42 cases have already been reported in 2019.

One of the most recent confirmed cases is a patient from southeastern Michigan who visited:

• Baymont by Wyndham Hotel Grand Rapids Airport, 2873 Kraft Ave. SE, around 12h-3h Friday, April 12;
• Med Express Emergency Care, 3100 Plainfield Ave. NE, around 13h-18h Friday.

By Wednesday, April 17, no case of measles had been confirmed in Grand Rapids this year.

Measles is a highly contagious and preventable disease through vaccination that is spread through direct contact and by air, according to health authorities.

The symptoms of measles include a high fever; cough; runny nose; red and watery eyes; small white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (2 to 3 days after the onset of symptoms); and a rash that is red, raised, stained and usually starts on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs 3-5 days after the onset of symptoms.

If symptoms develop, residents are urged to call their doctor or emergency room before arriving so that they can take precautions to avoid exposure to them. Other people.

This year, Michigan has had the highest number of confirmed measles cases since 1991, when 65 cases were reported. Thirty-nine of these cases occurred in Oakland County, one in Wayne County, one in Detroit and an international traveler who traveled to Washtenaw County.

There have been 555 cases this year in 20 states.

Health officials urge Michigan residents to contact their health care provider or local health department to find out how to get measles vaccinations if they have not already done so.

The vaccine is "very effective and very safe," officials said. A single dose protects approximately 95% of children and a second dose confers an immunity rate of nearly 100% to all individuals.

The vaccine can be effective when it is administered within 72 hours of exposure to prevent the disease. In addition, immunoglobulin treatment is effective within six days of exposure in high-risk individuals.

"You can not get measles because of the vaccine," MDHHS officials said in a press release.

Other recent dates and places of exhibition include:

• April 10th at Beis Chabad in North Oak Park, 15401 West 10 Mile Road, Oak Park (7:45 pm to 10 pm);
• April 11 (19:45 to 22:00) at Beis Chabad of North Oak Park, 15401 West 10 Mile Road, Oak Park;
• April 11 (11:00 am to 1:00 pm) at Speedway Service Station, 6041 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing;
• April 12 (11 am to 2 pm) at the BP gas station, 1166 Encorse Road, Ypsilanti;
• April 12 (5 pm to 5:30 pm) to B'Nai Israel congregation, 15,400 km 10 km, Oak Park;
• April 13 (9:30 am – 2 pm) at Beis Chabad North Oak Park, 15401 W 10 Mile Rd, Oak Park.

For more information on measles, visit the CDC website. Information on the current outbreak in Michigan is also available online.