Measles count now up to 43, and a gas station in Lansing named as an exposure site

After announcing a measles exposure in Lansing, a new case of measles was confirmed in Oakland County.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has confirmed another cases of the measles in Michigan.

That brings the total number up to 43 cases in the state.

Earlier on Wednesday, the MDHHS had announced the confirmation of two new measles cases in Southeast Michigan.

They were in Oakland County and the City of Detroit, however, one of the cases had exposure locations in Kent and

Ingham counties.

• April 10, Beis Chabad of North Oak Park, 15401 West 10 Mile Road, Oak Park, 7:45 –10 p.m.

• April 11, Beis Chabad of North Oak Park, 15401 West 10 Mile Road, Oak Park 7:45 –10 p.m.

• April 11, Speedway Gas Station, 6041 S. Pennsylvania Ave.,

Lansing

, 11 p.m. – 1 a.m.

• April 12, Baymont by Wyndham Grand Rapids Airport, 2873 Kraft Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, approximately 12 – 3 a.m.

• April 12, BP Gas Station, 1166 Ecorse Road, Ypsilanti 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• April 12, Urgent Care Med Express 3100 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, 1 – 6 p.m.

• April 12, Congregation B’Nai Israel, 15400 West 10 Mile, Oak Park, 5 – 7:30 p.m.

• April 13, Beis Chabad of North Oak Park, 15401 W 10 Mile Rd, Oak Park 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The outbreak, which began in mid-March, has resulted in 39 cases in Oakland County, one in Wayne County and one in the City of Detroit, until Wednesday.

In addition, an international traveler was diagnosed with measles following a visit to Washtenaw County, during which time he was contagious.

Infected individuals range in age from 8 months to 63 years; a majority of the cases involve adults.

MDHHS is working closely with local health departments to identify possible exposure locations for these latest cases.

Michiganders are urged to contact their healthcare provider or local health department about getting vaccinated for measles if they have not been vaccinated.

"The measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe," says the MDHHS. "A single dose of measles vaccine protects about 95 percent of children, but after two doses, almost 100 percent are immune."

MDHHS follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and does not recommend routine measles vaccinations for children less than 12 months of age unless there is a suspected measles exposure; there is thought to be an imminent measles exposure such as being in areas of known measles; or international travel planned.

For international travel, infants as young as 6 months should be vaccinated against measles. Measles vaccine, or other acceptable documentation of immunity to measles, is recommended for all persons traveling internationally.

High-risk individuals include those who are unvaccinated or unsure about vaccination status, pregnant women and those who are immune-compromised (have a weakened immune system due to illness and diseases like HIV, malnutrition and/or medications).

This is the highest number of measles in the state since 1991 when 65 cases were reported, according to the MDHHS.

So far this year in the U.S., there have been 555 cases of measles confirmed in 20 states. 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 7-14 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) 2-3 days after symptoms begin.

• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms, and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin.

If symptoms develop, residents are urged to call their doctor or emergency room before arriving so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals.