OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Michigan’s first case of measles this year has been confirmed in an adult who lives in Oakland County, health officials announced.
The county’s health officer, Kate Guzman, RN, said the department learned about the measles case at about noon on Friday, March 14, 2025.
She revealed the case is connected to international travel but said they aren’t releasing where the person traveled, their age, or any other personal details to protect their identity.
At this time, health officials aren’t sure if the adult was vaccinated.
While child vaccinations are required to be put into a registry, adult vaccinations aren’t required to be put into the system.
When did the person contract measles?
The adult returned home to Oakland County from international travel on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Their symptoms began on Monday, March 3, and the rash began on Friday, March 7.
On March 8, the person sought care at the Henry Ford Rochester Emergency Department located at 1101 West University Drive.
They went back to the same emergency department on March 10, where they were admitted overnight before being discharged on March 11.
How long was this person contagious?
The period of infectiousness in this measles case is March 3 - March 11, according to Guzman.
A person is contagious four days before the onset of the rash and four days after.
Possible exposure sites
Here are the times and places that people could have been potentially exposed to the virus in connection to the case:
- Kruse and Muer at 327 S Main Street in Rochester: From 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 3
- Henry Ford Rochester Emergency Department: From 3:40 a.m. on March 8 to 9:32 a.m. on March 9.
- Henry Ford Rochester Emergency Department: From 8:30 a.m. on March 10 to 5:18 p.m.
More sites of possible exposure could be identified as more information becomes available.
The measles virus can live in the air for up to two hours after the infected person has left the area, according to Guzman, and is highly contagious.
No secondary cases have been confirmed in connection to this case. It is unknown how busy the ER was at the exposure times.
Measles symptoms
Symptoms include the following:
- High fever (may spike to over 104°F).
- Runny nose.
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
- Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms begin.
The raised, red rash starts on the scalp and moves down the face and then down the torso. It is blotchy and begins 3 to 5 days after symptoms start.
Do I have the measles vaccine?
Children typically get the MMR vaccine at 2 months and 4 years, according to Guzman.
Adults born after 1989 should also have the two doses.
People born before 1957 are assumed to have immunity, and adults born between 1963 and 1968 may have received a version of the vaccine that isn’t as effective as the current one.
These individuals and any adults who may have only received one dose are encouraged to get vaccinated, especially if they work in the healthcare industry, travel internationally, or are around people who do.
What do I do if I was exposed?
If you have symptoms, you should call healthcare officials before going in person so they can make sure isolation protocols are in place.
A person who gets the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure can prevent or reduce the severity of the virus, according to measles.
Immune Globulin (Ig) treatment is effective within six days of exposure for high-risk individuals.
What’s the best way to protect myself against measles?
Vaccination is the best protection against measles, according to Guzman.
“Unvaccinated individuals need to get vaccinated. If you do not have a record of two measles (MMR) vaccines, unsure if you have been vaccinated, or unsure if you have had measles in the past, contact your health care provider,” said Kate Guzmán, health officer for Oakland County. “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.”
Director of Public Relations & Communications Strategy for Henry Ford Health Lauren Zakalik released the following statement:
”The health and wellbeing of our patients, team members and community is our absolute top priority, and we are working alongside the health department to ensure anyone who might have encountered this individual while they were in our facility has the necessary guidance and support. Vaccinations are our best protection against infectious diseases like measles, and we urge anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. We also encourage anyone with questions about their vaccination status to reach out to their healthcare provider or the health department.”
Where do I get the vaccine?
The vaccine is available through health care providers, some pharmacies and the county health division offices.
The health division offices are at the following locations:
- North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, Pontiac.
- South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield.
They are open at the following hours:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
More information on measles
People can contact Nurse on Call, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com.
Nurse on Call will also be available until 7 p.m. on Friday, March 14, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 15.
For more information about measles, visit here.
