Health officials in Oakland County have issued a public warning regarding a measles exposure at a Rochester Hills clinic. According to CBS News Detroit, individuals who visited the medical office building at 3950 S. Rochester Road last Tuesday, between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. may have been exposed to measles by a person from another county. The Oakland County Health Division is advising that anyone who believes they may have been at risk to consider Immune Globulin (IG) treatment, which is effective within six days of exposure for those at high risk.
Those identified as high risk include pregnant women, unvaccinated children under age five, and individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those with illnesses like diabetes or HIV, or those affected by malnutrition or certain medications. ClickOnDetroit adds that for those not eligible for the IG treatment, it's important to monitor for symptoms through June 24 and seek medical advice if symptoms develop.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that presents with symptoms like high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash. In light of this exposure, local health authorities are urging residents to verify their vaccination status. FOX 2 Detroit details that the measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Individuals born before 1957 are generally considered to be immune to measles.
The recent measles exposure comes against the backdrop of worrying statistics revealed by a study published earlier in the week. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found a significant decline in childhood measles vaccination rates, dropping from 93.92% in the 2017-2018 school year to 91.26% in the 2023-2024 school year. And while vaccination rates have decreased in the majority of counties studied, four states have seen an uptick in average county-level rates. The MMR vaccine is available at local health division offices and many pharmacies for those who need it.
For individuals needing the measles vaccination or additional information, the Oakland County Health Division offices in Southfield and Pontiac are open with varying hours throughout the week. For more comprehensive details on measles or to get in touch with the Nurse on Call service, Oakland County directs residents to visit their website.
