An adult travelling abroad and returning to the United States then continuing between Michigan and New Jersey has been identified as Kent County’s first measles case in over a decade.
The highly contagious disease spreads through the air from an infected person’s breath and can linger for up to two hours.
The Kent County Health Department website lists dates and locations where the infected adult may have exposed others to measles last week including the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and Kentwood’s Coopers Hawk Winery on 28th Street as well as Corewell Health’s Wealthy Street location in East Grand Rapids.
Symptoms begin one-to-three weeks after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, tiny white spots inside the mouth and a spreading rash beginning on the face.
Cathy Armstrong is the Program Supervisor of Communicable Disease for the Kent County Health Department and says anyone with suspected measles exposure should call before seeking treatment.
“We absolutely don't want people who are concerned about measles to show up at the doctor’s office. If they call ahead of time, the doctor’s office can make proper precautions to make sure that nobody is exposed in their facility.”
Measles can lead to serious complications, especially in young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Officials strongly recommend the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as safe and effective at preventing the disease - two doses provide 97% protection.
