Health Department Reports Second Suspected Measles Case In Washtenaw County

The Washtenaw County Health Department is alerting residents after identifying a second suspected measles case and expanding the list of locations where people may have been exposed earlier this month.

According to the health department, the suspected case involves an unvaccinated Washtenaw County resident who had close contact with the first case announced March 11. Health officials say the individual has been quarantined while the investigation continues.

Officials are also adding two additional exposure locations connected to the original case.

“Unfortunately, we expect to see additional cases in exposed, unvaccinated individuals, as measles is very contagious,” said Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director with the Washtenaw County Health Department. “We urge people to protect themselves and their families with MMR vaccination if they haven’t already.”

The health department says measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

People who were at the following locations during the listed times may have been exposed:

• Crunch Fitness, Ypsilanti — March 4, 5 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
• Sidetrack Bar & Grill, Ypsilanti — March 4, 7:45 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Briarwood Mall, Ann Arbor — March 5, 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• T-Mobile, Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti — March 5, 6 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
• Cricket Wireless, Ellsworth Road, Ypsilanti — March 5, 6:55 p.m. to 8:55 p.m. and March 6, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• CVS Pharmacy, East Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti — March 6, 4 p.m. to 6:07 p.m.
• Ypsilanti Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic — March 7, 7:15 p.m. to 9:27 p.m.
• Canton Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic — March 8, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Anyone who visited those locations during the listed times should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure, health officials said.

Symptoms of measles can include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that typically begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

Health officials advise anyone who develops symptoms to call a doctor before seeking medical care in person to help prevent further spread.

The measles vaccine is considered highly effective. One dose of the MMR vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles, while two doses are about 97% effective.

More information about measles and vaccination is available through the Washtenaw County Health Department at washtenaw.org/health.