Michigan has reported its second case of adult measles, both contracted on the same international flight. Diners may have been exposed.
Diners at two local restaurants in Ann Arbor, Michigan, may have been exposed to measles on April 6-7, according to state and local public health officials, who announced Friday that a second case of measles had been reported in Michigan. Both the recent case and one last month involved adults who are not related, but both were on the same international flight, health officials said.
The second individual with measles was at a customer at Mark’s Midtown Coney Island, 3586 Plymouth Road, between noon and 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, and at Benny’s Family Dining, 1952 S. Industrial from noon-3 p.m. on Friday, April 7, the Washtenaw County Health Department said. Anyone who was at the two restaurants should monitor themselves for rash, fever or other symptoms of the highly communicable disease for the next 21 days. Anyone who suspects measles should seek medical treatment.
The health department said the issue is not one of food safety or restaurant sanitation. Both restaurants are working with Washtenaw County health officials to help notify employees and members of the public about the potential exposure.
Michigan’s first 2017 case of measles was reported on March 30 in Oakland County.
“This underscores the importance of routine vaccination for both children and adults, and of making certain as many Michiganders as possible have protective immunity against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases,” Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release. “Measles is highly contagious, and though it is generally a rare disease in the United States – in fact it was eliminated from the country in 2000 – it shows up every year as a result of travel to other parts of the world where it continues to be a common illness.”
Measles is a vaccine-preventable respiratory infection that can result in hospitalization, pneumonia, encephalitis and death. Measles can also cause miscarriages or premature delivery in pregnant women. Droplets from the nose or mouth, through sneezing, coughing or speaking, spread measles. A person with measles is contagious for four days before and four days after the rash appears.
Symptoms initially include a high fever, red eyes, cough, runny nose, and eye discomfort or sensitivity in the yes, and is followed by a red, raised body rash starting on the head and face that progresses to the rest of the body.
Individuals may be contagious for a few days before they present with symptoms, which increases the potential of exposing others to the infection.
Because measles is highly communicable, vaccination is the best line of defense, and successful prevention and control requires high levels of immunity in all communities, Wells said.
The state health department is coordinating with local health departments in southeast Michigan to monitor any potential secondary cases in individuals who may have been exposed to the initial case. Individuals known to have been potentially exposed while the patient was receiving treatment are being contacted for follow up.
Last year, Michigan confirmed one case of measles. From 2001 – 2012, the average number of measles cases reported nationally per year was about 60. But in recent years there have been more, a cause of concern among public health authorities. In 2014, there were 667 cases nationwide, including five cases in Michigan.
The majority of people who got measles were not vaccinated, Wells said.
“The measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe,” she said. “Adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get at least one dose of the vaccine.”
Measles is part of the vaccination regimen recommended for children. The first of two doses is given at 12 months, but children who are traveling internationally should receive their first measles vaccine as young as 6 months, according to the release.
The vaccination, or documentation of immunity to measles, is recommended for all persons travelling internationally, Wells said.
The state health department recently joined the Fanny Strong Foundation to launch the public awareness “I Vaccinate” campaign as part of an effort to educate parents about serious vaccine-preventable diseases.
Photo via U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Diners At 2 Michigan Restaurants Exposed To Measles