Oakland County is reporting its first mumps case since 2022, while Macomb County has confirmed a new measles case. The Oakland County Health Department stated that the mumps case involves an adult with no known close contacts or exposures. The Macomb County case is linked to recent travel to Ontario, Canada. Macomb County health officials are working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit in Ontario due to the ongoing measles outbreak in that area, according to the Macomb County.
Kate Guzmán, Oakland County health officer, stated, "This case of mumps, coming just weeks after Oakland County’s first measles case of the year, underscores the essential role of vaccination in protecting our communities." Andrew Cox, Macomb County health officer, said, "If you are not vaccinated for measles, get vaccinated as quickly as you can. It is important to make sure you protect yourself and loved ones from this vaccine-preventable disease." The MMR vaccine is recommended to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. Vaccination rates have been linked to the prevention of these diseases, and health officials continue to monitor outbreaks in the region, as mentioned by The Detroit News.
Health officials report that vaccinated individuals can still get mumps, although U.S. cases have decreased since the mumps vaccine was introduced in 1967. Mumps can cause serious complications such as hearing loss and inflammation of organs. Measles is highly contagious, and 90% of unvaccinated people exposed are likely to get infected. Symptoms include fever, cough, and a rash. Michigan has reported at least three measles cases this year, with public exposures linked to places like Henry Ford Hospital and a Rochester restaurant. The measles vaccine is 93% effective with one dose and 97% effective with two doses. As of last Thursday, 483 measles cases have been reported across 19 states in the U.S., as reported by the Macomb County.
