Latest news with #InghamCountyHealthDepartment
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ingham County: Vaccination triggered false positive measles test for Michigan baby
A 1-year-old boy from Ingham County who was believed to have had measles in April actually was not infected with the virus — even though his initial test was positive, the Ingham County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have announced. 'When we test for measles, the first test is very sensitive and can pick up both real infections and traces of the vaccine virus,' said Dr. Nike Shoyinka, Ingham County's medical health officer, in a statement May 14. 'Further testing showed the symptoms were likely from an unrelated illness and the positive test result was due to a recent vaccination, not a case of measles.' The boy was exposed to a 1-year-old girl who had a confirmed case of measles earlier in April. He was undergoing monitoring by the health department when he developed general respiratory symptoms. That led health officials to test the boy for measles. The test was positive, which triggered additional monitoring and public notification of his case. However, additional testing by a regional public health reference lab supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the initial positive measles test result was caused by a recent vaccination with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine contains weakened live measles virus. This type of detection is not considered an infection and the child was not contagious, the health department said. "With the availability of the additional testing, this case will no longer be counted as a confirmed measles infection by ICHD or MDHHS," the statement said. 'This situation is a reminder of why timely vaccination is so important,' Shoyinka said. 'The MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent measles and protect public health.' More: Montcalm County has Michigan's first measles outbreak of 2025 More: What are the symptoms of measles? And other answers to common questions. In Michigan, there have been eight confimed measles cases this year, including a cluster of four cases in Montcalm County that constitute an outbreak. An adult from Oakland County who traveled internationally with an unknown vaccination history and was the state's first measles case of 2025. The person exposed others March 8-10 at a restaurant in Rochester and at Henry Ford Rochester Hospital. A traveler from Kent County who potentially exposed hundreds of other people to measles March 24-28 when visiting Metropolitan Airport in Romulus and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, along with a restaurant in Kentwood and a Corewell Health facility in East Grand Rapids. An adult from Macomb County who traveled to the Windsor-Essex County area of Ontario, Canada. The case was announced April 4, and the person is not believed to have gone out in public while infectious, so there are no known exposure sites. A 1-year-old girl from Ingham County who got one dose of the MMR vaccine the day before traveling through a Michigan airport out of state with her family. But it wasn't enough time for her body to mount an immune response. Her infection was reported April 14, and she exposed others at multiple locations in Lansing, East Lansing, and Okemos, including at a farmers market, a preschool/day care center, a restaurant, a hospital emergency department and a building on the Michigan State University campus. Four cases in Montcalm County that were identified in April and are tied to an ongoing outbreak in Ontario, Canada. Nationally, the CDC has confirmed 1,001 measles cases in 30 states as of May 8. Of them, about 68% have been among children and teenagers, and 96% have been among people who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. One dose of the MMR vaccine provides about 93% protection against the virus, and two doses offer about 97% coverage, the CDC says. It recommends the following for MMR vaccines: A first dose for children at 12 months-15 months old, with a booster dose administered between ages 4 and 6. Anyone born during or after 1957 without evidence of immunity against measles or documentation of having been vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine should get vaccinated. People exposed to measles who cannot document immunity against the virus should get post-exposure prophylaxis — a dose of the vaccine to potentially provide protection within 72 hours of initial exposure, or immunoglobulin within six days of exposure. The CDC changed its recommendations in 1989 from one dose of the MMR vaccine to two doses, which provides longer-lasting and more robust protection. People born between 1957 and 1989 who have had just a single dose of the vaccine may be at a higher risk of contracting the virus in an outbreak setting. Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@ Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Vaccination led to false positive measles test for Ingham County baby
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ingham County Health Department sends letter to parents regarding measles
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — has sent a letter to school district families, sharing ways to stay safe during the recent rise in measles cases. Dear Ingham County School Families, We hope this message finds you well. We understand that recent news regarding measles cases in our area may be concerning, and we want to share some important information to help keep your school community informed and protected. On Monday, April 14, the Ingham County Health Department confirmed the first case of measles in our area since 1994. A second case was confirmed on April 22. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to serious health complications. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sneezing, and a blotchy rash. Measles is the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease. A person with measles can spread the virus from four days before to four days after the appearance of a rash. Without vaccination, up to 90% of individuals exposed to the virus may become infected. Please be advised that in the event of an outbreak, your child may be required to stay home from school based on their vaccination status We recognize that vaccination is a personal choice, and Michigan law permits medical, religious, and philosophical waivers. Our intention in providing this information is to promote the health and safety of all students and families through increased awareness and education, so families can make informed decisions to protect their own health and the well-being of others. The best protection against measles is the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine. According to the CDC: One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles Two doses are 97% effective and offer lifelong protection MMR vaccines are available through the following sources: Your child's pediatrician or primary care provider Urgent care centers (please call ahead to confirm availability) Local pharmacies (check for age restrictions) Ingham County Health Department clinics – visit for current hours and availability As of February 2025, MMR vaccination coverage among children aged 19 to 35 months in Ingham County is 83.3%. This is below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, which helps protect our most vulnerable community members, including infants and individuals with certain medical conditions who cannot be vaccinated. We also want to remind families that students and staff should stay home if they are feeling unwell-especially if they have a fever, cough, or rash. Staying home when sick helps reduce the spread of illness and keeps others safe. If you think your child may have measles, please call your healthcare provider before going in, so they can take proper precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. If you have questions about your child's vaccination status or wherew to receive the MMR vaccine, please conatct your healthcare provider. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting the health and safety of our school community. Ingham County Health Department, letter sent to community and the Ingham County Health Department (ICHD) confirmed a second case of measles in an Ingham County child on April 24. Officials say the case was confirmed in a one-year-old boy, who was exposed to the , which was confirmed last week. The child with the second case was vaccinated and experienced 'mild' symptoms. Officials say that since he was isolated early, the risk of spreading it to the community is low. Second case of measles confirmed in Ingham Co. child Measles is a contagious disease that spreads through direct person-to-person contact and the air. It can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. If you were potentially exposed, monitor for the following symptoms for 21 days from the date of exposure: High fever (potentially exceeding 104°F) Cough Runny nose Red, watery eyes Tiny white spots inside of the mouth Red, blotchy rash starting on the face and spreading to the body If you develop any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
2nd child from Ingham County has measles after exposure to baby girl with virus
A 1-year-old boy in Ingham County now has the measles, state and county health officials announced April 23, one day after confirming that he was infected following exposure to a 12-month-old girl who also has the highly contagious virus. The boy's family was contacted by communicable disease nurses from the Ingham County Health Department after he was exposed to the 12-month-old girl, whose measles infection was confirmed April 15. When he developed symptoms, he was immediately tested. The boy was vaccinated with an age-appropriate one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, Dr. Nike Shoyinka, the county's medical health officer, said in a statement. But the single dose wasn't enough to fully protect him from illness. His symptoms, however, are mild. 'We understand that news of another case may cause concern in our community,' Shoyinka said. 'However, this child's vaccination status helped lessen the severity of illness, and early isolation significantly reduced the risk of transmission. "This case highlights the importance of timely vaccinations and swift public health response.' This is at least the eighth confirmed measles case in Michigan so far this year. An outbreak was declared April 17 in Montcalm County, and an additional case in Eaton County is still awaiting confirmation, said Emily Smale, a spokesperson from the Barry-Eaton District Health Department told the Free Press. The Ingham County boy with measles may have exposed others to the virus between 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. April 15 at Lansing Urgent Care – Frandor, 505 N. Clippert St., Lansing. Anyone who was at the urgent care center during that time is asked to monitor for symptoms of measles for 21 days from the date of exposure, and should call a doctor if symptoms develop before seeking treatment to ensure precautions can be taken to prevent further exposure. Measles is so contagious that even after a person infected with the virus leaves a room, 90% of people without immunity to the virus will get sick if they enter the room for up to two hours later. Additionally, a person can be infectious and spreading the disease for as many as four days before the telltale rash develops and for four days after the rash begins, according to the CDC. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles symptoms typically start within seven to 14 days of exposure, but also have been known to appear as long as 21 days after initial exposure and can include: Fever, which may rise above 104 degrees. Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose and cough. Red, watery eyes that can develop into pink eye or conjunctivitis. Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots, known as Koplik spots, may develop on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash that is red, raised and blotchy appears. It usually begins on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs. Measles can cause serious illness, long-term disability and death in people of all ages. So far this year, 85 people in the U.S. with confirmed measles cases have been hospitalized for treatment — that's about 11% of the 800 confirmed infections nationally as of April 17. The vast majority — 68 of the 85 who were hospitalized — were younger than the age of 20, according to the CDC. About 1 in 20 children with measles develops pneumonia. Roughly 1 out of every 1,000 children with measles infections will also have encephalitis. Brain swelling from encephalitis can lead to convulsions, permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability and death, according to the CDC. Anywhere from 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children with measles dies from respiratory or neurologic complications from the virus. People who contract measles during pregnancy also are more likely to develop pneumonia and be hospitalized. The virus can cause miscarriage and stillbirth as well as trigger preterm birth and lead to lower birth weights, according to the CDC. The CDC has confirmed two deaths from measles in the U.S. this year. A third death remains under investigation. More: Michigan baby had measles vaccine 1 day before trip to airport with contagious traveler "Our recommendation is for everyone to be vaccinated," Shoyinka said in a previous interview. One dose of the MMR vaccine provides about 93% protection against the virus, and two doses offer about 97% coverage, the CDC says. It recommends the following for MMR vaccines: A first dose for children at 12-15 months old, with a booster dose administered between ages 4 and 6. Anyone born during or after 1957 without evidence of immunity against measles or documentation of having been vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine should get vaccinated. The second dose should be given no sooner than 28 days after the first. People exposed to measles who cannot document immunity against the virus should get post-exposure prophylaxis — a dose of the vaccine to potentially provide protection within 72 hours of initial exposure, or immunoglobulin within six days of exposure. The CDC changed its recommendations in 1989 from one dose of the MMR vaccine to two doses, which provides longer-lasting and more robust protection. People born between 1957 and 1989 who have had just a single dose of the vaccine may be at a higher risk of contracting the virus in an outbreak setting. Ingham County residents can get an MMR vaccine at the health department's immunization clinic, 303 S. Cedar St., Lansing. (Use entrance No. 3 when entering the building and go to the second floor.) Walk in hours are: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. 1-4 p.m. Thursdays. Call the health department at 517-887-4316 or email Immunization@ to make an appointment. Both county and state health officials said they are continuing efforts to trace the child's contacts and identify others who may have been been exposed. Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@ Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ingham County reports 2nd measles case in 1-year-old boy
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Second case of measles confirmed in Ingham Co. child
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A second case of measles has been confirmed in an Ingham County child. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Ingham County Health Department (ICHD) were notified late April 22 that measles was confirmed in a one-year-old boy who was exposed to the , which was confirmed last week. Officials have identified a possible exposure site— the Lansing Urgent Care location in Frandor between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, Ingham County confirms first measles case since 1994 After they were notified that they could have been exposed, the boy's family was contacted by the ICHD to properly monitor for symptoms. When symptoms appeared, the boy was tested and measles was confirmed on April 22. The boy was vaccinated and experienced 'mild' symptoms. Officials say that since he was isolated early, the risk of spreading it to the community is low. Measles is a contagious disease that spreads through direct person-to-person contact and the air. It can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. If you were potentially exposed, monitor for the following symptoms for 21 days from the date of exposure: High fever (potentially exceeding 104°F) Cough Runny nose Red, watery eyes Tiny white spots inside of the mouth Red, blotchy rash starting on the face and spreading to the body If you develop any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately. The Ingham County Health Department is encouraging unvaccinated individuals or those unsure of their vaccination status to contact their health care provider. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is available through the department's immunization clinic located at 5303 S. Cedar St. in Lansing, Entrance 3 on the second floor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
23-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Second measles case confirmed in Ingham County, Michigan, health officials say
The Ingham County Health Department confirmed on Wednesday a second measles case in the county. Officials say the case was reported in a 1-year-old boy who was exposed to the county's first case, which involved another child. In that case, the 1-year-old girl recently traveled out of state. In the latest case, county health officials say the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services notified them on April 22 after the child was tested. Officials say the potential exposure site was between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on April 15 at Lansing Urgent Care—Frandor (505 N. Clippert St.). Health officials say the child was vaccinated and experienced mild symptoms. They say the risk of a broader community exposure is low because of the isolation caused by the first measles case. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a characteristic rash. "We understand that news of another case may cause concern in our community," said Ingham County Medical Health Officer Dr. Nike Shoyinka in a statement. "However, this child's vaccination status helped lessen the severity of illness, and early isolation significantly reduced the risk of transmission. This case highlights the importance of timely vaccinations and swift public health response." According to MDHHS, the state reported eight cases this year. Earlier this month, Montcalm County confirmed a measles outbreak, the state's first since 2019. Other cases were confirmed in Kent, Macomb and Oakland counties. However, health officials are investigating a new potential case among an Eaton County resident, who visited places in Lansing and Orion Township. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 800 cases have been confirmed in the U.S. this year, of which 38% involve people between the ages of 5 and 19. Two deaths were confirmed to be related to measles, and officials are investigating a third death. The number of cases in the U.S. has already surpassed 285 cases in 2024. Health officials urge residents to get vaccinated. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to review their children's immunization records to ensure they are up to date. The MMR vaccine is given in doses, the first between the ages of 12 and 15 months and the second between the ages of 4 and 6 years. NOTE: The video above first aired on April 16, 2025.
