Health officials confirm two more measles cases in Kent County, Michigan
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Health officials confirm two more measles cases in Kent County, Michigan
Health officials in Kent County, Michigan, announced on Wednesday that two more measles cases were detected. The cases were not linked to a public exposure site or posed a risk to the general public. The county did not provide any further details on the people infected. Earlier this month, the county reported a second measles case in a child, months after the first case was reported in April.
Dr. Adam London, county administrative health officer, said the cases were confirmed late last week. London said they did not immediately issue a public notice because the cases were not linked to a public exposure site or posed a risk to the general public.
The county did not provide any further details on the people infected.
“We’re sharing this update to be transparent and to clarify our approach moving forward. The Kent County Health Department will notify the media and public about measles cases only when they involve public exposure sites and/or a potential public health risk. This approach helps protect patient privacy while allowing us to focus efforts where they’re most needed,” said Dr. Adam London, county health officer, in a written statement.
Earlier this month, the county reported a second measles case in a child, months after the first case was reported in April. Officials say the child and their family had a recent history of traveling internationally.
According to data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, a total of 18 cases have been detected in 2025 as of July 17. The department provides weekly updates every Thursday.
Health officials say measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when a person who is infected breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, tiny white spots on the inner cheek, gums and roof of mouth and red rash that is blotchy, raised and usually starts on the face.
In the United States, more than 1,300 cases were confirmed in 39 states, with Texas having the most cases (over 700 confirmed).
Note: The video above previously aired on June 9, 2025.
Kent County confirms second measles case this year
After more than a decade with no measles cases, Kent County confirmed its second case in 2025. The public may have been exposed to the new case at the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital emergency room. The number of measles cases in Michigan this year — 17 so far, with two known outbreaks — is almost triple the number at this time last year. “If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected,” CDC says.
The county health department issued a warning that the public may have been exposed to the new case at the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital emergency room in downtown Grand Rapids late Friday night into early Saturday morning.
The potential exposure happened between 11:38 p.m. Friday, June 27, and 12:06 a.m. Saturday, June 28.
The health department urged people who were at the hospital during that time to monitor themselves for symptoms until July 19.
Those symptoms include:
High fever (may spike to over 104°F)
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms begin
A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin
Kent County Health Officer Adam London said the new case is part of a “troubling resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases.”
Vaccination rates have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic, and health officials have said that’s contributing to outbreaks of dangerous illnesses that could have been avoided.
Measles is particularly worrisome because of how contagious it is. “If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected” with a vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The number of measles cases in Michigan this year — 17 so far, with two known outbreaks — is almost triple the number at this time last year.
The Kent County Health Department said the new case is in a person whose family recently traveled internationally.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/two-new-measles-cases-confirmed-kent-county/