Washtenaw County confirms measles outbreak

The Washtenaw County Health Department is officially reporting a local measles outbreak, March 19, 2026, with a total of three confirmed measles cases in the area. 

The outbreak comes after the first case of measles was identified in an unvaccinated adult, March 11. The two additional cases were close contacts of the first case, the health department reported in a March 19 statement. It confirmed that there are no new exposure locations connected to the new cases. 

In the statement, health department officials urged community members to make sure family members are vaccinated against the disease and get the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, if they haven't already. The health department also advised community members to check the list of exposure sites and follow guidance if potentially exposed. 

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

The measles virus is highly contagious and can live up to two hours in the air, the health department stated. Individuals present at the following locations at the listed times and dates might have been exposed: 

"Anyone at the above locations during the specific times and dates should monitor themselves for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the exposure," the health department statement said. "If symptoms appear, call your health care provider. Do not seek medical treatment in person without calling the doctor’s office, urgent care, or emergency room first."

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.

Two of the cases identified in Washtenaw County are in children between the ages of 5 and 17. The first case in the county is in an adult over the age of 18. All three individuals were unvaccinated, the health department reported. 

Who is at risk

“Unfortunately, we expect to see additional cases in exposed, unvaccinated individuals, as measles is very contagious,” said Juan Luis Marquez, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department, in the statement. “We urge people to protect themselves and their families with MMR vaccination if they haven’t already.”

If one person has measles, up to nine out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected, the CDC reported. About one in five people who contract measles will become ill enough to be hospitalized, the Washtenaw County Health Department reported. Vaccinated individuals are typically not at risk, Susan Ringler Cerniglia said to The Eastern Echo in a previous interview. Ringler Cerniglia is the public information officer for the health department. She said that if vaccinated individuals were at one of the identified sites at the exposure time and date they should still monitor for symptoms for 21 days.

"Anybody that's unvaccinated, that was in those spaces, we're a lot more worried about," Ringer Cerniglia said. "We'd really recommend if they were unvaccinated and exposed that they go ahead and quarantine themselves ... stay away from others and really watch for those symptoms."

MMR vaccine

Individuals with two, appropriately spaced doses of the vaccine are considered immune, the health department reported. For fully vaccinated individuals, the measles vaccine is about 97% effective in preventing the disease.

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

The vaccine is safe and effective, Ringler Cerniglia said, and provides lifelong immunity, meaning it doesn’t require boosters to remain efficacious. 

Typically, babies are vaccinated at 12 months old. However, people with infants can talk to their health care provider about vaccinating their child as early as six months old in the event of an outbreak, Ringler Cerniglia said. 

Where to get vaccinated

Vaccination is available from health care providers, pharmacies and health departments. Children eligible for the CDC'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 health department statement reported. 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, Ringler Cerniglia said, especially amid an active outbreak.

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.

Checking vaccination status

Young adults who grew up in Michigan can check their vaccination status through the statewide database Michigan Care Improvement Registry, Ringler Cerniglia said. Residents 18 and older can request their records electronically from MCIR through the Michigan Immunization Portal online. Immunization records can also be requested from MCIR directly by mail or fax using a request form found online.

Records can also be requested from one's health care provider or through the county health department. The Washtenaw County Health Department can issue an immunization record for any Michigan resident, its website said. To request a record, call 734-544-6700 and press option 3 for immunizations and other clinical services. Requestors must make an appointment to pick up their records in person and a small fee may apply.

MCIR is unlikely to retain immunization records of individuals born before 1994, its webpage said. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advises people to look through family records and check with previous health care providers, schools or childcare providers, and previous employers to find old immunization records.

A blood draw can also confirm immunity, Ringler Cerniglia said. She added that there is no harm in getting an additional MMR vaccine if immunization is difficult to confirm.