FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Be protected from measles: Vaccination is your best defense!

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Our Vision - Healthy People

Contact: Kristina Wieghmink,
616-494-5597 or kwieghmink@miottawa.org

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Vaccination is your best defense!

Measles is a highly contagious disease. Are you and your family vaccinated?

cdc measles

Measles can be prevented with the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ottawa County Department of Public Health recommend people get the MMR vaccine. To be fully protected against measles two doses of the vaccine need to be given. However, receiving one dose provides some protection until the second dose is able to be given. Children should get the first dose of the MMR vaccine between 12-15 months of age, and the second dose between 4-6 years. Teens and adults should also be up-to-date on their MMR vaccination. 

The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.

cdc measles

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can live up to two hours in the air. Measles is so contagious that if someone has it, nearly everyone close to that person will also get the disease unless they have been vaccinated or are immune. A person is considered immune if they have had the disease, been fully vaccinated or born before 1957.

KNOW YOUR VACCINATION STATUS!

Contact your doctor or the health department for the MMR vaccine! 

Measles symptoms typically include:

  • High fever (may spike to more than 104° F)
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth
  • Rash (red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on ears and/or face; spreads to trunk, arms and legs)

STOP! If symptoms develop, do not visit your doctor or emergency room unless you call ahead so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals. Stay home if you are sick and don’t allow visitors in your home as measles is highly contagious.

Measles can be serious:

  • Measles can be serious in all age groups. But, children younger than five years of age, pregnant women and people with immune system-suppressing conditions/medication are at a higher risk of getting measles and are more likely to suffer from measles complications.
  • Measles may cause a pregnant woman to give birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby.
  • Ear infections occur in about one out of every 10 children with measles and can result in permanent hearing loss.
  • About 1 out of 4 people who get measles will be hospitalized.
  • 1 out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling due to infection (encephalitis), which may lead to brain damage.
  • 1 or 2 out of 1,000 people with measles will die, even with the best care.

Learn more about complications.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MEASLES

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Michigan is Experiencing a Measles Outbreak

mdhhs

Measles cases reach 43 in Michigan, highest number since 1991. As of April 17, 2019, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed 43 total measles cases statewide since March 13, 2019. The outbreak, which began in mid-March, has resulted in 40 cases in Oakland County, one in Wayne County and one in the City of Detroit. 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.

Ottawa County remains measles-free, and vaccination against measles continues to be important for maintaining our disease-free status. Our last encounter with measles was two cases nearly 30 years ago in 1991.

Stay up-to-date on the situation at michigan.gov/MeaslesOutbreak. 

travel

Protect against Measles before International Travel

Measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world; including areas in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa. In the United States, most of the measles cases result from international travel. The disease is brought into the United States by unvaccinated people who get infected in other countries. They spread measles to others, which can cause outbreaks. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting infected when they travel internationally. LEARN MORE

Frequently Asked Questions about Measles in the U.S. English  I  Spanish

Top Things Parents Need to Know about Measles

READ MORE

measles infographic

DOWNLOAD & PRINT

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