Rising measles threat in Kalamazoo amidst falling vaccination rates, officials warn

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There has been three confirmed cases of measles in the state of Michigan in the last two weeks.

Health officials in Kalamazoo are concerned about the potential of a measles outbreak in Kalamazoo if vaccination rates do not improve.

Only 66% of children ages 19 to 35 months are vaccinated against measles, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, or MDHHS.

Dr. William Nettleton, medical director at the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department, said the most effective way to combat measles is to get vaccinated against it.

“Not only the decision to vaccinate affects yourself and your family, but it affects those around you,” Dr. Nettleton said. “It affects the entire community. That’s what makes vaccines different.”

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, echoed Dr. Nettleton’s sentiment.

“Covering your coughs and sneezes is not enough to prevent transmission against measles, neither is washing your hands,” Dr. Nettleton said.

Dr. Bagdasarian is concerned with the lowering vaccination rates in Michigan.

“There are greater risks of bringing imported cases back to Michigan and that’s what we saw with three imported cases over the span of two weeks being brought into our state into three different counties with lots of exposures,” she said.

One of the biggest threats of a measles outbreak is international travel, according to Dr. Nettleton.

“Those who are susceptible to Measles, in other words under or not vaccinated travel abroad, are exposed to Measles, and bring it back to the United States and can infect others who are susceptible, particularly in communities that have lower immunity,” he said.

If you are exposed to measles and you are unvaccinated, Dr. Nettleton said you have 72 hours to get vaccinated to alleviate but not eliminate the virus.

She said it’s important to remember to call ahead to your primary care physician or urgent care and to not just show up, which would increase the risk of spreading Measles.