Health officials confirm measles case, exposure sites in Monroe County
Monroe County health officials reported Thursday the county's first confirmed measles case in 2026.
"This case is a reminder of how easily measles can spread among those who lack immunity," said Monroe County Health Department. Jamie Dean. "Anyone not vaccinated is likely to become ill if exposed. We strongly encourage our community to educate themselves about their immunization status and to get vaccinated if they are not protected."
This latest case comes amid an outbreak in Washtenaw County, where seven confirmed cases have been reported.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there have been eight confirmed measles cases in the state in 2026.
Monroe County measles exposure sites
Health officials report two exposure sites related to this confirmed measles case. The two sites are St. Joseph Church of Ida on March 28 between 6 and 9 p.m., and Trinity Health IHA Urgent Care in Milan between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles is highly contagious and is spread through the air and by person-to-person contact, and, according to MDHHS, "can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present." Symptoms usually present 7-14 days after exposure, but they can appear up to 21 days later.
Symptoms of measles 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 the mouth (Koplik Spots) appear two to three days after symptoms begin.
- A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on the face, spreads to the trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin.
MDHHS recommends that any unvaccinated people aged 1 year or older receive the measles vaccine.
