Health Officials Confirm Measles Outbreak In Southeast Michigan

YPSILANTI, MI — Washtenaw County health officials have confirmed a local measles outbreak.

The outbreak started earlier this month when an unvaccinated man returned from Florida, where health officials believe the man contracted measles.

Two close contacts of the man, ages 5 and 17, also caught the virus. Health officials said they were also unvaccinated.

Now, health officials said over the weekend they are investigating a suspected fourth measles case connected to the initial case.

They said the person has symptoms consistent with measles and known exposure, but measles has not yet been confirmed with laboratory testing.

"There is a limited time after a potential measles exposure when we can offer vaccine or medication to prevent infection," Washtenaw County Health Department Medical Director Juan Luis Marquez said. "We are announcing this suspect case immediately because the last day for exposed infants and pregnant or immunocompromised individuals to receive preventative IG treatment is Monday."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an outbreak as three or more related cases of measles.

The cases are connected to several high-trafficked areas in Ypsilanti and Canton, including:

• Sidetrack Bar and Grill on Cross Street, Ypsilanti, 7:45 p.m. to 1 a.m. on March 4-5.
• T-Mobile at 2044 Whittaker, Ypsilanti, 6 to 8:40 p.m. on March 5.
• Cricket Wireless on Ellsworth at the Roundtree Place Shopping Center, Ypsilanti, 6:55 p.m. to 8:55 p.m. on March 5.
• CVS Pharmacy at 1415 Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti, 4 to 6:07 p.m. on March 6.
• Cricket Wireless on Ellsworth, Ypsilanti, 7 to 10 p.m. on March 6.
• The Ypsilanti Urgent Care on Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti, 7:15 to 9:27 p.m. on March 7.
• The Canton Urgent Care on Ford Road, Canton, 4:30 to 7 p.m. on March 8.

Health officials ask anyone who was at the following locations during those times to watch for measles symptoms.

Symptoms of measles usually begin within seven to 14 days after exposure and can appear up to 21 days after exposure. They include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, tiny white spots on the inner cheeks and rashes, officials said.

If symptoms develop, residents are urged to not visit their doctor or emergency room unless they have called ahead so facilities can take precautions to prevent exposure to other people.

Health officials said a single dose of the MMR vaccine is roughly 93 percent effective at preventing measles; two doses are about 97 percent effective. The vaccine is also effective if given within 72 hours of exposure to help prevent illness.

According to the CDC, 91.6 percent of Michiganders in 2025 were vaccinated against measles, down from 92.1 percent the previous year.