Measles

The behavior of our elected representatives is often more uncomfortably reflective of our own behavior than we would necessarily like it to be.

With vaccine hesitancy and measles infections rising among children in the state — some parents are concerned. Here's what you should know about the virus and how to protect against it.

The state is experiencing its first measles outbreak since 2019 in Montcalm County, where three individuals have contracted the virus. An outbreak is defined as three or more connected cases.

On this edition of Stateside, a discussion on the damage caused by the ice storms in late March in Northern Michigan, along with Ingham County’s first confirmed measles case and ways to stay protected.

County health officials say they've contacted the families of all 50 or so kids who attend a local daycare center, where they may have been exposed to measles. They're still determining how many of those children are unvaccinated, but about 83% of Ingham County kids between the ages of 19-35 months are vaccinated.

Health officials in Kent County say this is the county's first measles case in more than a decade.

A person returning from international travel may have exposed people to measles at a Rochester restaurant and a Rochester hospital in early March.

All the cases so far have been in unvaccinated individuals who traveled abroad — two adults in Washtenaw and Wayne counties, and a child in Oakland County. But officials worry they could help fuel measles outbreaks like those reported in other states.

The state health department says the case is an Oakland County child, and is associated with international travel. Officials do not think anyone outside the child’s household was exposed.

Doctors are encouraging Michigan parents to get their children’s routine vaccines up to date.During the COVID-19 pandemic there’s been a significant…