Update: Thursday, April 10, 2025, 3:15 p.m.
Two more measles cases have since been reported in Michigan.
The third case was in a Macomb County resident who had recently traveled to Ontario, Canada, which is in the midst of an outbreak of the disease. That case was announced April 4.
There were no known exposure sites because health authorities do not believe the person went out in public while contagious.
The fourth case was a Montcalm County resident who recently traveled out of the state. It was reported Wednesday.
Health officials said they were working to identify places where people may have been exposed to measles by the infected person.
Original story: Tuesday, April 1, 8:23 p.m.
Health authorities in Kent County said Tuesday that they've confirmed the county's first case of measles in more than a decade.
This is Michigan's second known case of 2025, after a case in Oakland County in March.
The Kent County Health Department said in a news release that the new case is an adult who recently traveled abroad before returning to the U.S. and traveling between Michigan and New Jersey.
The health department published a list of places where other people might have been exposed:
The county health department said people who were at any of those locations during the specified times should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure. Those symptoms include:
- High fever (may spike to over 104°F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms begin
- A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin
Health authorities encouraged any experiencing symptoms to call their healthcare provider before seeking in-person care. Measles is extremely contagious for people who haven't been vaccinated or developed immunity from previous infections.
The Kent County Health Department can be reached Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 616-632-7228. People can call 2-1-1 for support during weekends and evenings.
Measles is an extremely contagious illness and can cause serious complications in unvaccinated people, especially children. But a full course of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is extremely effective at preventing it.
