With a growing measles outbreak in nearby Oakland County, it is important for all Washtenaw County residents to be protected against the highly contagious, but vaccine-preventable disease.
Two doses of the MMR (Measles / Mumps / Rubella) vaccine is about 97 percent effective at preventing measles. One dose is 93 percent effective.
If exposed, approximately 90 percent of people who have NOT been vaccinated or previously had measles will develop the disease.
If you do not have a record of two documented measles (MMR) vaccines, or if you are unsure if you have been vaccinated or have had measles in the past, contact your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated. You can also contact the Washtenaw County Health Department at 734-544-6700.
See all confirmed Oakland County exposure locations at www.oakgov.com/health.
What are the symptoms of measles?
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth 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
How long after exposure do symptoms begin?
Symptoms usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear as long as 21 days after exposure. If symptoms develop, do not visit your doctor, urgent care or emergency room unless you call ahead so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals.
How is measles spread?
Measles is easily spread by person-to-person direct contact and airborne spread of droplets from the nose, throat, and mouth through sneezing, coughing, and speaking. A person can be infected with measles just by being in a room with an infected person, even up to 2 hours after the infected person has left.
How long is a person contagious?
Measles can be spread 4 days before developing the rash through 4 days after the rash appears. Measles is highly contagious.
View and print our Measles Fact Sheet (PDF).