Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Also, measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people exposed to that person who are not immune will also become infected.
Measles symptoms typically include:
• High fever (may spike to more than 104° F)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth
• Rash (red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on ears and/or face; spreads to trunk, arms and legs)
Measles can be serious:
• Measles can be serious in all age groups. But, children younger than five years of age, pregnant women and people with immune system-suppressing conditions/medication are at a higher risk of getting measles and are more likely to suffer from measles complications.
• Measles may cause a pregnant woman to give birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby.
• Ear infections occur in about one out of every 10 children with measles and can result in permanent hearing loss.
• About 1 out of 4 people who get measles will be hospitalized.
• 1 out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling due to infection (encephalitis), which may lead to brain damage.
• 1 or 2 out of 1,000 people with measles will die, even with the best care.
Learn more about complications.
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Michigan is Experiencing a Measles Outbreak
Measles cases reach 34 in Michigan, highest number since 1991. As of April 2, 2019, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed 34 total measles cases statewide since March 13, 2019. Oakland County has 33 cases and one case was a Wayne County resident. Infected individuals range in age from 8 months to 63. Exposure Locations. Stay up-to-date on the situation at michigan.gov/MeaslesOutbreak.