HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Michigan’s seen 10 cases of measles so far this year — 10 times as many as found in 2017 and 2016 — and 51 cases of the mumps, another childhood disease prevented by vaccinations.
The Centers for Disease Control is monitoring a measles outbreak in 21 states, including Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, — as far east as New York and New Jersey, and as far west as California and Oregon from as far south as Florida all the way north to Washington.
CDC officials say nationally, 107 people have been diagnosed, so far this year.
Measles is an airborne illness, spreads via coughs and sneezes.
Ten days to two weeks later, days symptoms show up, including fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, then a rash that typically spreads from the face to the rest of the body.
Health officials are concerned because, once school is in session, viral outbreaks tend to get worse. A person with measles is considered infectious four days before the rash breaks out and four days after the rash. Children with measles must be kept out out school to limit the spread of the virus.
Between January and April of this year, the most-recent Ottawa County records available, no measles cases have been seen, but four mumps cases were documented. In Allegan County, public records show no documented cases of measles or mumps though June.
