Measles Cases on the Rise Underscore Importance of Getting the Measles Vaccine
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Measles cases are on the rise in the United States and here in Michigan.
Once eliminated in the United States, the disease has been on the rise in recent years, as U.S. MMR coverage among kindergarteners is now below the 95% coverage target and is decreasing, according to the CDC. There have already been 13 outbreaks (defined as three or more related cases) reported in 2024 compared to just four outbreaks reported during 2023.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious illness and complications, especially in young children, reports the CDC. About 90% of people without immunity will become sick after being exposed.
Among the more than 200 cases this year in the U.S., 40% are in children under 5. In 86% of all cases, the patient was unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown, according to the CDC.
As of Aug. 19, there have been seven confirmed cases of measles in Michigan this year in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. Previously, there were no confirmed cases of measles in Michigan since 2019.
Measles symptoms appear a week to two weeks after contact with the virus, which spreads through droplets from an infected person. An infected person can spread measles four days before and four days after a rash appears. The virus can remain in the air for two hours and spread through surface contact.
Symptoms include:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Tiny white spots in the mouth 2-3 daysafter symptoms begin
- Red rash in the hairline and down arms, trunk and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin
The diseases can affect everyone, but those most at risk are:
- Children younger than 5
- Adults older than 20
- Pregnant women
- People with weakened immune systems
About 20% of unvaccinated people are hospitalized from measles. About 5% of children with measles get pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death from measles in young children, according to the CDC.Another complication that occurs in around 0.1% of children is encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain that can cause permanent damage.
If you believe you or a loved one has been exposed or show symptoms, call your doctor immediately. It’s important to call ahead before going to the doctor or emergency room so staff can take precautions to reduce exposure to others.
How do I prevent measles?
The most important step to preventing measles is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses are more than 97% effective in preventing measles, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The MMR vaccine is part of the vaccine schedule for children, and it provides protection against measles for life for most people.Adults who did not receive the MMR vaccine as children can also receive the vaccine.
The vaccination rate for kindergarteners in the U.S. has decreased approximately 2% from 2019-2020 to 2022-2023 to 93.1%. This has left about 250,000 kindergartners at risk each year during the past three years, per the CDC.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services requires vaccinations, including MMR, for children before going to school to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. If you have questions about you or your child’s vaccine status, contact your primary care doctor.
Image: Getty Images
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