The Kent County Health Department confirms a case of measles in a young child whose family recently traveled internationally.
Dr. Kristin Oldenberg is the Medical Director of the Kent County Health Department.
“Most people do recover from the measles fine but about one in five people have to be hospitalized. It's particularly more dangerous in young children. And a smaller number, about one in 1000 can develop encephalitis which can lead to permanent damage. More frequently than that people can develop pneumonia.”
The measles virus is easily spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
It can stay in the air for up to two hours, continuing to infect others.
In this latest case, officials identified one site where people might have been exposed: Helen Devos Children’s Hospital Emergency Room in Grand Rapids between 11:30PM Friday, June 27 until just after midnight Saturday.
Anyone who may have been in the hospital during that time should monitor for symptoms for two weeks, including high fever, cough, and runny nose.
“After a couple of days, some people will notice little white spots on the inside of their cheeks. Those are pretty specific to measles, and then a few days after that, people might notice a rash that usually starts on the face near the hairline and moves down the body.”
Anyone who becomes ill should call their healthcare provider or the health department before visiting a clinic or doctor’s office to avoid exposing others.
The KCHD can be reached Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 616-632-7228.
Individuals can call 2-1-1 for support during weekends and evenings.
