Michigan health officials confirmed a measles case in a Washtenaw County resident who was contagious when returning from international travel at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport March 6.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on March 14 said the infected individual was hospitalized and recovering. Health officials encouraged individuals who were in customs or baggage claim in the airport's north terminal between 2-5 p.m. to seek medical attention. The infected individual was returning from a trip to India, a spokesperson with the health department told The Washington Post
"This case underscores the importance of following vaccine recommendations and being up-to-date on vaccines," said Eden Wells, MD, the chief medical executive for MDHHS. "Immunizations are the best way to protect our families and communities from the harmful, sometimes deadly consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles."
Measles is a highly communicable virus associated with symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough and a red rash that covers the body. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing the measles, according to the CDC.
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