Michigan has reported its first measles outbreak since 2019, with seven cases confirmed across the state as of Thursday. The outbreak is centered in Montcalm County, where three cases have been reported. Officials say the highly contagious disease can spread quickly through direct contact and airborne transmission.
“This outbreak underscores how contagious measles is,” said Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive. “The MMR vaccine remains our best defense, offering 97% protection against measles.”
Health officials urge all Michigan residents to check their vaccination records to ensure they are up-to-date with the MMR vaccine. Measles can cause serious complications like pneumonia and encephalitis, and is potentially deadly for young children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems.
The outbreak comes as the US has seen its highest number of measles cases since 2019, with 712 confirmed cases across the country, according to the CDC. Texas leads the way with 561 cases.
Source: https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/04/18/health-officials-confirm-michigans-first-measles-outbreak-since-2019/83150660007