Measles Case in Michigan Raises Concerns Over Childcare Exposure

A one-year-old girl is the fifth measles case in Michigan, potentially exposing others at a childcare center, officials say.
Ingham county infant with measles may have exposed kids at daycare

In a concerning development, a one-year-old girl from Ingham County has been identified as the fifth measles case in Michigan this year. Health officials are now working to determine potential exposure at a local childcare facility, where the virus may have spread among other children.

The specific daycare center involved has not been named publicly. However, Ingham County medical health officer Nike Shoyinka, MD, confirmed that all families of the approximately 50 children enrolled have been contacted by the health department. This proactive communication was facilitated by the center’s full cooperation in sharing the necessary information.

The childcare location was not mentioned as a public exposure site in the county’s recent press release. Dr. Shoyinka noted, “And so the information that we need in order to communicate with the people who are exposed, and provide them with the adequate information, is available.”

Efforts are ongoing to verify the vaccination status of children at the center. As of February, Ingham County reported an MMR vaccination rate of 83.3% for children aged 19-35 months, which is slightly above Michigan’s state average of 80%. Nonetheless, this figure remains below the necessary level for achieving herd immunity.

Dr. Shoyinka stated, “We are matching records with every single child and every single family” to ensure proper guidance is given. Unvaccinated children will be closely monitored for 21 days following their last exposure on April 8.

Other potential exposure sites include a Tractor Supply in Lansing on April 4, an Aldi’s and a farmer’s market in Okemos on April 5, Towar Baptist Church in East Lansing, Toscana Restaurant in Lansing on April 6, and MSU Community Music School and the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing emergency department on April 8.

According to the Ingham County Health Department, “Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable illness that spreads through airborne transmission and direct contact.” The department urges individuals aged one year and older to complete the MMR vaccination, which offers about 97% protection with two doses.

Child’s Vaccination Timing and Travel

Interestingly, the infected child had received her initial measles vaccine dose just a day before an out-of-state trip. Dr. Shoyinka explained that it takes a couple of weeks for the body’s immune response to fully activate post-vaccination, leaving the child relatively vulnerable soon after the shot.

“So even though this child was vaccinated, she was still relatively susceptible given the short period of time,” Dr. Shoyinka commented, adding that the child’s symptoms were mild, likely due to having received at least one vaccine dose prior to traveling.

Details regarding whether the child was at the Grand Rapids or Detroit airport are still unclear.

For comprehensive protection, children require two doses of the MMR vaccine, typically administered between 12-15 months for the first dose and 4-6 years for the second. The CDC advises that infants traveling internationally should be vaccinated early.

Those unvaccinated and exposed to measles can receive vaccination within 72 hours of exposure for some protection or be given immunoglobulin (IG) within six days as a preventive measure.

Dr. Shoyinka emphasized the severity of measles: “There’s a 90% chance of getting measles when you are not vaccinated at all. One in five children who contract measles could be hospitalized. One in 20 children could get pneumonia. And…there are about one to three children [who] could die out of 1,000 kids who contract measles.”

The MMR vaccine is available at the ICHD Immunization Clinic, 5303 S. Cedar Street in Lansing. Appointments can be made by calling 517-887-4316 or emailing Immunization@ingham.org.


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