The Allegan County Health department today has confirmed the county’s second case of the highly contagious disease on Friday, June 6.
The department is working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to investigate the case in order to halt any fiurther problems that may arise.
The measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected individual leaves an area, and health authorities said people who were present may have been affected.
A client who was at the Sensory Systems Clinic West in Wayland Thursday evening, March 13, was diagnosed with the measles, but it appears the problem was brought under control. A Facebook post by the clinic, located behind Henika Library, reported that families who use the facility were contacted. The client’s therapist continued to work throughout this week, not knowing her exposure until today. She is vaccinated.
A spokesperson for the Health Department said, “For those who were exposed to measles, Immune Globulin (Ig) treatment is effective within six days of exposure for high-risk individuals. High-risk individuals include those who are pregnant and those who have a weakened immune system due to illness and disease, including diabetes or HIV, malnutrition and/or medications.
“If you think you were exposed to measles, monitor for symptoms for 21 days after potential exposure date. If symptoms develop, call your health care provider. Individuals born in or before 1957 are considered immune.
“Unvaccinated individuals need to get vaccinated. If you do not have a record of two measles (MMR) vaccines, unsure if you have been vaccinated, or unsure if you have had measles in the past, contact your health care provider.
“If symptoms develop, do not visit your doctor or emergency room unless you call ahead so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals.”
“Measles can live for up to two hours in the air where an infected person coughed or sneezed. Symptoms of measles usually begin seven to 14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure.”
