Potentially hundreds of people were exposed to measles when a traveler visited two of Michigan’s biggest airports last week — a peak time for spring break getaways.
Kent County Health Department officials said the person traveled internationally and to New Jersey, exposing others to the extremely contagious virus at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, along with a restaurant in Kentwood and a Corewell Health facility in East Grand Rapids.
It is the second case of measles reported in Michigan this year, amid a growing number of cases nationally. Measles is among the most infectious diseases in the world. Viral particles can remain in the air for as long as two hours after an infected person leaves a room. About 90% of people who don’t have immunity from previous infection and are unvaccinated will become infected after exposure.
“This case is a reminder of how quickly measles can spread and the importance of vaccination,” said Dr. Adam London, Kent County health officer, in a statement issued Tuesday night. We urge residents to check their immunization status and to get vaccinated, especially if planning to travel internationally or into areas with active measles outbreaks.”
Where and when were the latest measles exposures?
The person infected with measles traveled to the following sites at the following dates and times. Anyone who was in those places at those times may have been exposed:
Health officials urge people who may have been exposed to monitor for measles symptoms for 21 days after the date of potential exposure. If symptoms develop, call ahead before visiting a doctor, urgent care center, or hospital emergency department so they can take precautions to avoid exposing others.
More: Michigan’s 1st 2025 measles case reported, likely exposing others at 2 Rochester locations
People exposed to measles who cannot document immunity against the virus may be eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis, which can prevent infection or make the illness milder, health officials said. But the timing matters.
If fewer than 72 hours have passed since initial exposure, people who have been exposed to measles may be eligible for a dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine to reduce their risk. And people who are within six days of exposure may be able to be treated with immunoglobulin.
Christina Anthony, a spokesperson for the Kent County Health Department, would not disclose details about whether the person was vaccinated for measles. Citing privacy concerns, she also declined to tell the Free Press whether the person was sick enough to be hospitalized.
She directed anyone who may have been exposed to call the Kent County Health Department at 616-632-7228 to discuss details and to find out whether they might qualify for treatment with post-exposure prophylaxis.
“Our team is in the process of reaching out to known exposures,” she said.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles symptoms typically start within seven to 14 days after exposure, but also have been known to appear as long as 21 days after initial exposure and can include:
How serious is a measles infection?
Measles can cause serious illness, long-term disability and death in people of all ages.
About 1 in 20 kids with measles develops pneumonia. Roughly 1 out of every 1,000 children who have measles infections also will have encephalitis. Brain swelling from encephalitis can lead to convulsions, permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability and death, according to the CDC.
Anywhere from one to 3 of every 1,000 children with measles dies from respiratory or neurologic complications from the virus.
“We’ve had the vaccine since 1963, and before the vaccine was available, every year across the U.S., between 400 and 500 people died,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, told the Free Press for a previous story. “Four hundred to 500 people may not seem like … huge numbers, but it is a lot, especially if you’re talking about your loved one or your child.”
The virus causes high fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (red, inflamed eyes) and rash that typically starts at the head and spreads down the body. People are contagious up to four days before symptoms appear and the rate of complications is high, Bagdasarian said.
“About 20% of folks who go on to develop those symptoms end up hospitalized,” she said. “The complications can include things like encephalitis or swelling around the brain, severe pneumonia and even death. All of those complications are preventable with the vaccine. The efficacy of the vaccine is 93% if you get a single dose and between 97% and 98% if you get two doses.”
As of March 28, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 483 confirmed U.S. cases of measles in the following states: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee Texas, Vermont and Washington.
Among those cases, 70 of the people infected with measles were hospitalized and two died, according to the CDC. About three quarters of them have been among children and teens ages 19 and younger, and 97% were among people who were either unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown, according to the CDC.
How can measles be prevented?
Prevention starts with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following when it comes to the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine:
“We do get a lot of questions about adults that have only had one dose of MMR,” said Kate Guzman, Oakland County health officer, in a March news conference when Oakland County announced its first case of measles in 2025. “Do you need a booster? Possibly, yes.
“We typically say, if you work in health care, if you travel a lot, if you have some possible exposure to measles, and you are an adult that only has one dose on board, it would be a great idea to get a second.
“As cases are increasing nationwide, worldwide, we will start to see more in our community. Think about getting that booster dose.”
Where can I get a vaccine for measles?
Vaccines are available through primary care providers and pharmacies.
Medicaid and most private insurance plans cover the MMR vaccine at no cost. Low- to no-cost vaccines also are available at local public health department offices.
Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program also may receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program at no cost. To learn more, go to: Vaccines for Children (VFC): Information for Parents | CDC.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Traveler with measles exposed others at Detroit Metro, Grand Rapids airports: What to know
Reporting by Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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