The Washtenaw County Health Department has issued an alert about measles in the county.
Health officials have confirmed one case in Washtenaw County. More than 40 people are cofirmed to have contracted measles in southeast Michigan, primarily in Oakland County, so far. Washtenaw County Public Health is urging residents to get vaccinated.
Susan Cerniglia is a spokesperson for the health department.
"Measles is an airborne infection, so that's spread through shared air space and it is very contagious, so that's why to err on the side of caution we want to make sure folks are alert to that."
Cerniglia says, because of that, it is advised everyone who passed through three potential "public exposure locations" at specific times on specific days make sure vaccinations are up to date, and if not, get vaccinated as soon as possible.
The three areas are:
- The Olive Garden Italian restaurant on Eisenhower Parkway on April 1 from 5 to 7 pm.
- The Liberty Athletic Club on West Liberty Road on April 7 from 1 to 3:45 pm.
- And the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor on Birch Hollow Drive on April 1 - 4 & April 8 from 7:45 am to 6:30 pm.
The vaccine, if administered within 72 hours of exposure, can prevent illness, according to the health department.
The vaccine is available through primary health care providers and some local pharmacies. The Washtenaw County Health Department is offering the vaccine until 7 p.m. on Tuesday and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
For more information, call 734-544-6700.
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— Taylor Pinson is a writer/reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him studio@wemu.org
