A measles case has been confirmed in an Ingham County 1-year-old girl who recently traveled outside the state. The girl was vaccinated before traveling, but due to the recency of vaccination, her immunity was not yet fully developed, resulting in a relatively mild illness.
Measles is highly contagious and can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. Michigan has reported five confirmed cases, with residents who visited specific exposure sites in the Lansing and Okemos area potentially exposed.
Residents are advised to monitor for symptoms, including high fever, cough, and red eyes, as well as a characteristic rash that starts on the face and spreads to the torso. Complications like ear infections and pneumonia can occur in up to 30% of infected individuals.
Ingham County health officials encourage residents to confirm their vaccination status against measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 97% protection against measles, with one dose being 93% effective. The community goal for herd immunity is 95%, but as of December 2024, only 80.4% of Michigan children aged 19-35 months have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Vaccination information can be found through the Ingham County Health Department’s Immunization Clinic or by visiting ivaccinate.org.
Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/04/lansing-area-baby-girl-infected-with-measles.html