ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On October 21, Delta County saw its first cases of measles since 1989, with three people confirmed to have been infected. Just over a week later, the number of active cases is down to zero.
According to Public Health, Delta & Menominee Counties (PHDM), measles is only contagious for four days after a rash appears. That means the three reported cases are no longer considered active. Other patients have been tested for the disease since the outbreak, and no additional cases have been found.
“The advantage we have now is that the State lab has a satellite in Houghton,” said PHDM Medical Director Dr. Robert Van Howe. “We’re able to get those tests done pretty quickly at that facility rather than having to send them down to Lansing where it can take a couple of days.”
Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, tiny white spots in the mouth, and a red, raised rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body. Because measles is highly contagious, health officials still urge patients to make sure they are protected.
“Of ten people who are susceptible to measles who are exposed, nine of them will get the measles,” explained Dr. Van Howe. “The vaccine with two doses is about 97% effective. If you get a vaccine within 72 hours of exposure, that means you can go back to work and go back to school.”
PHDM states that patients are likely protected from measles if they have had at least one MMR vaccine, if they have a record of immunity, or if they were born before 1957. Delta and Menominee County residents are encouraged to look into their vaccination history and to schedule a measles vaccine if needed.
