Washtenaw County confirms 7th measles case, new exposure site identified

Amid an ongoing outbreak in the area, the Washtenaw County Health Department has confirmed a seventh case of measles March 25, 2026, and identified a new exposure location.

The seventh case of measles has been confirmed in an unvaccinated child who was a close contact of the county's original March 11 case. Additionally, the health department has officially confirmed a suspect case of measles first announced March 21. All seven measles cases are in unvaccinated individuals, the health department said. As of March 25, one individual has been hospitalized.

Read more: New measles exposure locations identified at Washtenaw Community College, in Ypsilanti - The Eastern Echo

The measles virus is highly contagious, health department officials said in a March 25 statement, and can live up to two hours in the air. Individuals who were present at Trinity Health Ann Arbor in the emergency room treatment areas Saturday, March 21, from 1:45-7:28 p.m. may have been exposed to measles. This does not include the waiting area of Trinity Health Ann Arbor.

Measles symptoms typically begin between seven and 14 days but can start up to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms include high fever; cough; runny nose; red, watery eyes; tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin; and a rash that is red, raised and blotchy that usually starts on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin.

Anyone exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days, the health department stated. Exposed individuals should also call ahead before seeking in-person medical treat to allow health care providers to take action to protect others from potential exposure, the statement said.

“We advise anyone unvaccinated or not already immune to stay away from others for a full 21 days after a measles exposure,” said Juan Luis Marquez, medical director with the Washtenaw County Health Department.

The health department is also recommending people who are not immune to measles to stay home and avoid all public setting through April 11, 2026, for this exposure. 

"This precaution is necessary because people who are not immune could develop measles during the 7-21 day incubation period and may be contagious before symptoms appear," the statement said.

Individuals with two, appropriately spaced doses of the MMR vaccine, which prevents measles, mumps and rubella, are considered immune to the disease, the health department reported. For fully vaccinated individuals, the measles vaccine is about 97% effective in preventing the disease. A single dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing the disease.

Additionally, adults born before 1957 or those who have evidence of prior measles illness are considered immune, the health department reported. 

High-risk individuals who are not immune and have been exposed to the virus can receive immune globulin medication after exposure to prevent measles, the statement said. 

People at high risk include infants under 1 year and pregnant or immunocompromised individuals. Immune globulin can be given up to six days after exposure, meaning high-risk individuals exposed March 21, 2026, can receive the medication through Friday, March 27. People who need the medication should contact their health care provider to receive it.

The Washtenaw County Health Department is working with Trinity Health to notify anyone potentially exposed who is not already considered immune, the statement said.

The MMR vaccine is highly effective and very safe, the health department reported. 

Vaccination is available from health care providers, pharmacies and health departments. Children eligible for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccines for Children program could receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program at no cost.

The Washtenaw County Health Department accepts Medicaid, Medicare, Washtenaw Health Plan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the statement said. While vaccines from the health department are not free, they are provided on a sliding fee scale, and no one will be turned away for being unable to pay, especially amid an active outbreak, Susan Ringler Cerniglia told The Eastern Echo in a previous interview. Ringler Cerniglia is the public information officer for the county health department.

People can call 734-544-6700 to set up a vaccine appointment at the Washtenaw County Health Department. Walk-in vaccinations are available at 555 Towner St. in Ypsilanti at the following times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Read more: What to know about measles in Washtenaw County - The Eastern Echo

"Anyone not fully vaccinated against measles is encouraged to do so as soon as possible. About one in five unvaccinated people who get measles will be hospitalized. Serious complications include pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), death, and complications during pregnancy," the health department said in a previous statement.

The Washtenaw County Health Department has identified the following locations as potential exposure spots during the listed times and dates: