Are you Vaccinated? Kent County Sees its First Measles Case in 13 years

For the first time in over a decade, measles has been confirmed in Kent County. The Kent County Health Department announced Tuesday that an adult resident tested positive for the highly contagious virus after recent international travel. The individual also traveled between Michigan and New Jersey, raising concerns about potential exposure.

So if you're concerned about if you could have been exposed, or how to keep yourself from catching the illness now that it's arrived in West Michigan, there are a few things you can do.

BELOW: Be aware of what to look for, see all of the symptoms of measles ⬇️

Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The best way to prevent infection is through vaccination, which the Kent County Health Department strongly recommends for those who are planning international travel in the near future, or if you plan to visit areas with an active outbreak. If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, you can check through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website.

What are the symptoms of measles?

If you were in any of the locations listed below at the specified times, monitor for symptoms. Measles symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after exposure but can take up to 21 days. These include:

• High fever (starting at 100 F, may spike over 104 F)
• Cough and runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and/or roof of your mouth
• Red, blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body 3-5 days after symptoms begin

If you develop symptoms, call your doctor before visiting a medical facility to avoid exposing others.

If you were at any of these locations during the times listed, you may have been exposed to measles:

March 24, 11:30a. - 3p. @ Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Kentwood
March 25, 8a. - 12:30p. @ Gerald R. Ford International Airport
March 25, 11:20a. - 4p @ Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Delta Sky Club near Gate A68
March 27-28, 6:45p. - Midnight @ Detroit Metropolitan Airport
March 27-28, 10:40p. - 1a @ Gerald R. Ford International Airport
March 28, 1:30p. - 5:15p. @ Corewell Health Family Medicine, Wealthy Street, East Grand Rapids

In case you weren't aware, this case arriving in Kent County serves as an important reminder of how quickly measles can spread, and why vaccination is so important for all of us here in West Michigan if we want to keep this completely preventable illness away. If you or your child haven’t been vaccinated, now is the time to check your immunization records and talk to your healthcare provider. You can find more info on the Michigan Immunization Portal.