New Measles Cases Reported, Exposure Sites In Grand Rapids

medical3476437-9
medical3476437-9

New numbers regarding the measles outbreak in Michigan have been released, and this time, there are a couple of Grand Rapids locations listed as possible exposure sites. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Lynn Sutfin tells us a person infected with measles traveled to the area and was at the Baymont by Wyndham Grand Rapids Airport hotel early in the morning of April 12. They then went to the Urgent Care Med Express office on Plainfield Avenue that night.

“We want folks to be aware of that because if you were there and you are not vaccinated, you definitely want to get a hold of your healthcare provider about that,” Sutfin said.

There haven’t been any measles cases yet identified in Grand Rapids; just the possible exposure. Sutfin says measles has a two-hour hang time in the air.

“It is an airborne virus, and so if somebody coughs or if they sneeze or breathe out, it is in the air for two hours.”

In all, there have been 43 cases of measles in Michigan this year, most of them in Oakland County. Sutfin says there have been a couple in Wayne County, and there was one in Washtenaw County, although that person was an international traveler who has since gone back to Germany. If you have any doubts about whether you may have been vaccinated, you are advised to contact your doctor.