The upper peninsula has confirmed two cases of measles.
The highly contagious disease can spread quickly in unprepared communities.
Wuphd health officer Kate Beer says measles has always been a part of the department’s outbreak procedure. But in more recent years, the focus shifted to COVID-19, influenza, and r-s-v cases. Because the region and health providers have not seen measles in the upper peninsula in several years, beer emphasizes the importance of calling a provider prior to entering their doors.
Each hospital, urgent care, or primary physician will have similar procedures to receive a patient who suspects they have contracted measles. Health providers need a patient to call ahead of arrival, so staff have time to prepare personal protection equipment, and can move the individual to care quickly, rather than sitting in the waiting room with other patients.
Beer reminds the Upper Peninsula’s communities to keep washing their hands and cover their mouth and nose to sneeze or cough. Those unsure of their vaccination status can contact your local health department. Beer says most departments will have vaccination status records and will gladly assist residents. The measles vaccine is 97 percent effective in preventing infection. Vaccines offer the greatest protection against contracting viral infections such as measles, covid-19, RSV, and influenza.
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