A fourth case of measles is suspected in Washtenaw County, the county health department said Saturday.
The individual has symptoms that resemble measles and known exposure to the county’s first case (announced March 11), but measles has not yet been confirmed with laboratory testing, according to a health department press release.
“There is a limited time after a potential measles exposure when we can offer vaccine or medication to prevent infection,” said Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director of the Washtenaw County Health Department.
“We are announcing this suspect case immediately because the last day for exposed infants and pregnant or immunocompromised individuals to receive preventative IG treatment is Monday.”
Individuals who were present at these locations during the listed times on Tue., March 17 may have been exposed to the virus, according to the health department:
State health officials confirmed a measles outbreak in Washtenaw County earlier this week, meaning three or more linked cases have been discovered.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that spreads through direct person-to-person contact and through the air, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
“As previously noted by Washtenaw County Health Department, the initial Michigan measles case was associated with travel to Florida,” MDHHS said. “The additional cases linked to this outbreak demonstrate how quickly measles can spread among individuals who are not immune to the virus.”
Health officials are urging families to ensure they are up to date on all vaccines, particularly if they are traveling, as more than 1,350 cases of measles have been recorded across 31 states during the first three months of 2026, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said.
MDHHS said that vaccine uptake in Michigan has continued to drop over the past year, leaving more children and young adults vulnerable to the virus, which can cause hospitalization, brain swelling, pneumonia and even death.
MDHHS said measles symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus but can take up to 21 days to appear. Measles can be spread by an infected individual before they show symptoms.
Common symptoms of the disease include high fever (it may spike to over 104 degrees); cough; runny nose; red, watery eyes; tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth; and a rash, MDHHS said.
The rash starts as flat red spots on the face at the hairline and then spreads to the trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin. Small, raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
MDHHS is urging people who think they may have been exposed, or who develop symptoms, to call their health care provider before seeking testing or treatment so steps can be taken to prevent exposure to other individuals.
bwarren@detroitnews.com
Anne Snabes contributed reporting.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Fourth suspected measles case reported in Washtenaw County
Reporting by Ben Warren, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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