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A measles outbreak in Michigan is continuing to grow.
A seventh case is now under investigation in Southeast Michigan. Health officials are urging families to make sure they are protected to prevent the spread.
“It’s actually one of the most contagious viruses we know,” said Dr. Michela Corsi, medical director at the Genesee County Health Department.
Corsi said measles is far more infectious than the flu.
“We say about 9 in 10 people who are not immune to the virus that are exposed will become infected with measles,” said Corsi. “So it’s up to 12 times more infectious than something like flu.”
In Southeast Michigan, a measles outbreak has expanded to seven cases under investigation after a report in Washtenaw County. The first case, reported March 11, has been tied to travel in Florida.
Corsi said it is a cluster they are watching closely.
“Knock on wood, we have been good in Genesee County, no cases,” said Corsi.
Measles symptoms often start like a cold, including a cough, red eyes, and a runny nose, then it can escalate to a rash. It can take one to two weeks for symptoms to show up after exposure.
“It’s an airborne virus and it can stay in the air for up to two hours after a person who’s infected has been,” said Corsi.
Corsi said the best protection is the measles vaccine.
“These outbreaks and high numbers of measles cases is this a pretty new phenomenon in the last couple of years, and it is really directly related to decreasing vaccination rates across our country,” said Corsi.
In Genesee County, Corsi said the measles vaccination rates are around 75 percent, well below what is needed to prevent spread.
“The rate of vaccines that you need to prevent the spread if you start having like isolated cases in the community, that’s 95 percent for measles because it’s so infectious,” said Corsi. “So, we are vulnerable to an outbreak because of our low immunization rates in the county.”
If you are traveling, Corsi said it is worth checking with your doctor to make sure you are protected.
“If you have one dose of the vaccine, we say that’s about 93 percent effective, two doses is 97 percent,” said Corsi.
If you develop symptoms, Corsi said to stay home and call your doctor. If you do not have one, contact the health department for next steps.