In the United States, 15 states have confirmed 268 measles cases until March 14. These states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. And in Oakland County, there are four newly confirmed measles cases.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human services (MDHHS) has reported in a press release sent late Thursday night that there are four new cases in the county and three suspected cases are still under investigation.
They are found to be related to the travelers visiting from other countries, such as Israel and Ukraine, where there are huge measles outbreaks. Oakland County has 62 cities, townships, and villages, and it is part of the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area. The exposures may have detected in some of the metro Detroit areas, including Southfield, Oak Park, Berkley and Royal Oak.
On March 13, the first case of the disease was reported in the county, when the MDHHS gave confirmation that after visiting New York and Israel, an individual had visited to Michigan where these places were known for potential areas of exposure.
The MDHHS department says that individuals who might have exposed to the measles experience symptoms 21 days after catching the infection. There is an MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine for measles. Measles is easily spread through direct body contact or being exposed to sneezing and coughing of the infected person.
The typical symptoms of the disease include red and watery eyes, high fever, cough, runny nose, red blotchy rashes, and tiny white spots inside the mouth. Doctors have urged to call the office if you are caught up with the disease rather than visiting in public place to ensure the disease does not spread further.
