Health authorities in Macomb County have announced a verified instance of measles in an adult local resident.
This marks Michigan's third measles case in 2025 and Macomb County's first for the year.
The individual has recently visited Ontario, Canada, where health authorities report a measles outbreak. However, since this person did not go into public spaces when they were contagious, there are no identified places of potential public contact.
Macomb County is collaborating with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services along with the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit to look into the case.
“Measles is an extremely infectious illness that spreads via airborne droplets when someone infected with it coughs, sneezes, or speaks,” explained Andrew Cox, director/health officer at Macomb County Health and Community Services. “If you haven’t been immunized against measles, do so without delay. Ensuring your vaccination protects both you and those close to you from this preventable ailment.”
On Wednesday, a Kent County resident Individuals who recently visited Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids have been informed of a case involving someone diagnosed with measles.
What are the signs of measles infection?
Measles is extremely infectious and spreads via the air as well as direct personal contact. As stated by MDHHS, "it can survive for up to two hours in areas where an infected individual has been." Typically, symptoms start showing 7-14 days following exposure; however, these signs may manifest up to 21 days post-exposure.
Symptoms of measles include:
- Elevated temperature (can reach above 104˚F).
- Cough.
- Runny nose.
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
- Small white dots appearing on the inside of the cheeks, gums, and palate (known as Koplik Spots) can be observed two to three days following the onset of symptoms.
- A reddish, elevated, patchy rash typically appears first on the face and then extends to the torso, arms, and legs within three to five days following symptom onset.
The MDHHS suggests that all individuals aged one year or older who have not been vaccinated should get the measles shot.