Measles detected in a Michigan county

Brian Zimmerman -

Health officials in Washtenaw County, Mich., confirmed one case of the measles in an adult patient with a recent history of international travel. Clinicians treated the patient at the University of Michigan East Ann Arbor Health and Geriatrics Center on Oct. 13.

As a precautionary measure, Washtenaw County Public Health is encouraging any unvaccinated individuals who were present at the center between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the noted day seek immunization.

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"The [mumps, measles and rubella] vaccination is extremely effective at preventing illness," said Jessie Kimbrough Marshall, MD, medical director for Washtenaw County Public Health. "While we urge all eligible persons to vaccinate, it is especially important for anyone who is unimmunized and has potential exposure to this case to vaccinate against measles immediately."

Measles is an extremely contagious disease characterized by high fever and generalized rash all over the body. It is passed via direct contact with secretions from the nose, mouth and throat of infected individuals and primarily affects children. Some travel-associated cases of the measles continue to occur in North America, though the World Health Organization deemed the disease as officially eradicated in the Americas in September.

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