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PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: Notification of Measles in Grand Traverse County

The following information was released by The Grand Traverse County Health Department. View the official Public Health Alert here.

The Grand Traverse County Health Department has received notification of a confirmed case of measles in a Grand Traverse County resident. The case involves an unvaccinated individual who recently traveled to Eastern Europe and returned to Traverse City. There are currently multiple measles outbreaks worldwide and an unvaccinated traveler can bring measles back to the United States, where it has the possibility to spread quickly. This is the third case of international travel related measles cases in Michigan this year.

Exposure locations in Grand Traverse County include:

  • Sunday, June 30, from 5:00 – 10:00pm: Walmart (2640 Crossing Cir., Traverse City)
  • Monday, July 1, from 2:00 – 5:00pm: Department of Human Services (701 S Elmwood, Traverse City)
  • Tuesday, July 2, from 2:30 – 5:00 pm: Munson Family Practice (1400 Medical Campus Drive, Traverse City)
  • Wednesday, July 3, from 4:15 – 5:00 pm: Munson Family Practice (1400 Medical Campus Drive, Traverse City)
  • Thursday, July 4, from 9:30am – 12:15pm: Munson Medical Center Emergency Room (1105 6th St, Traverse City)

There was NO KNOWN EXPOSURE at the National Cherry Festival.

Persons potentially exposed should watch for symptoms for 21 days after exposure. If symptoms develop, please call ahead to your doctor or hospital emergency department, so that heath care providers can take precautions to prevent exposure of other persons as well. Questions for the Grand Traverse County Health Department from those who were exposed at any of the above mentioned locations and are unaware of their immunity status, can call 231-995-6800.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7 to 14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:

  • High fever (may spike to over 104°F)
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin
  • A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on the face, spreads to the trunk, arms and legs three to five days after the other symptoms appear

The measles vaccine is highly effective and safe. A single dose of measles vaccine protects with about 95 percent effectiveness, and after two doses, with almost 100 percent immunity. Measles vaccine is the best way to prevent individuals from getting measles and to keep the disease from spreading. The first of two routine childhood measles vaccine doses is typically given at 12-15 months of age. A second vaccine dose is given before the start of kindergarten, between ages 4 and 6 years. Any Grand Traverse County residents that would like to check their vaccination status and/or have not been immunized and need to receive a vaccination for measles, are urged to contact their healthcare provider or local health department.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.gtchd.org/1647/Measles-Information
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html

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You’ve got questions. That’s a good thing.

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