Michigan measles outbreak: State urges earlier vaccination for infants

Max Reinhart, The Detroit News on Apr 2, 2026

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A measles outbreak in Washtenaw County may be spreading due to community transmission, health officials said Thursday, announcing that a case has now confirmed in neighboring Monroe County.

Due to the continued spread, state officials are temporarily recommending that families in southeast Michigan have their infant children vaccinated at an earlier age, as young as 6 months.

Community transmission means the infections are occurring without known links to travel or other known cases.

“Because people with measles can transmit the virus before they experience symptoms, we want to make sure we are protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities by recommending early vaccination for infants ages 6 through 11 months," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive, in a statement. "The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine remains our best defense, and two doses offers 97% protection against measles.”

'Accelerated first dose' for babies 6-11 months

A measles outbreak is defined as three or more related cases of measles. The outbreak in Washtenaw County involves seven cases, which are directly related, according to MDHHS. The first case was reported March 12 and was associated with travel to Florida.

The Monroe County case "has not been definitively linked to any of the Washtenaw County cases or travel, and the timing and proximity to the outbreak raises concerns that community transmission may be occurring," the agency said.

Due to the possibility of continued spread in the community, MDHHS is now recommending that infants age 6-11 months get an "accelerated first dose" of the measles vaccine if they live Washtenaw, Monroe, Wayne, Oakland, Jackson, Livingston or Lenawee counties, or have traveled to Washtenaw or Monroe counties.

The recommendation is in effect until May 16, which is two incubation periods after the infectious period of the last confirmed case.

Infants who receive the accelerated first dose will still require two additional doses of the MMR vaccine after they turn 1 year old to complete the series, officials said.

Typically, the state recommends children get their first dose of the MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age, with a second dose given a minimum of 28 days after the first dose.

Watch for symptoms

For information about locations where individuals may have been exposed to the virus, visit the state's online Measles Dashboard.

Anyone who visited an exposure site at the given times should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days after exposure, according to the department.

Measles symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Those infected could also have tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth, as well as a red blotchy rash that usually starts on the face, spreads to the trunk, and limbs.

If symptoms appear, do not seek medical treatment in person without calling the doctor’s office, urgent care or emergency room first.

As of March 26, 1,575 confirmed measles cases were reported in the United States, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last year, Michigan reported 30 confirmed measles cases in 10 counties: Allegan, Grand Traverse, Ingham, Kent, Macomb, Marquette, Montcalm, Muskegon, Oakland and Osceola, state officials said. There also were three outbreaks reported in 2025.

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