April 2025
Dear Families,
As many of you may be aware, there are several measles outbreaks occurring throughout the country and in Canada. With spring break travel comes the potential for spread and outbreaks in our Northern Michigan communities.
In general, a 95% vaccination rate within a community will prevent outbreaks of measles disease. In Benzie and Leelanau counties, approximately 80% of school age children have received both recommended doses of Measles (MMR) vaccine. This means that 300-350 school age children could become sick with measles if we should see cases in our counties.
We want to be sure that those who wish to be vaccinated against measles have the opportunity to do so. Measles vaccine (MMR) is widely available at most physician offices and at health departments. The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department has set up after-school hours for students to receive the MMR vaccine:
Monday, April 7, 4:00-7:00 Leelanau County office
Tuesday, April 8, 4:00-7:00, Benzie County office
To schedule an appointment for the MMR vaccine at the health department, call 231-882-4409, extension 3. If you are unable to schedule an appointment on the dates listed above, the MMR vaccine is regularly available at other times.
Measles is one of the most contagious respiratory viruses and historically has caused significant illness and can cause death. Thankfully, the measles vaccine is extremely effective and has been safely used for decades, drastically reducing illness and deaths. More than 97% of people who receive the routine recommended two doses of MeaslesMumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine are immune from measles infection. Measles/MMR vaccine is typically given at 12-15 months of age and again at 4-6 years of age (before starting kindergarten). The vaccine provides lifelong immunity.
Measles can be spread to others through the air and by both direct and indirect contact. The measles virus will live in the air and on objects for as long as 2 hours, infecting 90% of susceptible people even after the infected person has left the room. People usually develop symptoms 7-10 days after exposure, but it can take up to 21 days.
• The first sign of measles is usually a high fever, along with a runny nose, red eyes, cough, and sore throat, and eventually the total-body rash.
• The disease can be passed to others from 4 days before the rash develops until 4 days after.
For more information on MMR vaccination, contact your physician or the health department at 231-882-4409, extension 3.
Additional information on Measles disease can be found at: MDHHS: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-child-serv/childrenfamilies/immunizations/measlesupdates, CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html IVaccinate.org: https://ivaccinate.org/questions-category/measles
Sincerely,
Joshua Meyerson, MD, MPH Medical Director, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department
Dan Thorell, RS, MPH Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department
