Measles Outbreak Confirmed in Washtenaw County, Fueled by Declining Vaccination Rates

Washtenaw County health officials have confirmed a measles outbreak, with four cases reported since March 11, raising concerns about a resurgence of the highly contagious virus amid declining vaccination rates nationwide. The initial case marked the first in the county since 2024 and all confirmed individuals were close contacts of the first person to test positive.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Washtenaw County Health Department jointly confirmed the outbreak, defined as three or more related cases of measles, on March 19. Public health officials are urging families to ensure they are up to date on all vaccinations, particularly the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, especially with spring break travel plans underway.

According to Susan Ringler Cerniglia, public information officer for the Washtenaw Health Department, the risk of exposure outside of known public locations remains low. “If you weren’t at any of these known sites during the exact times and days we’re worried about — very low risk,” she stated in an interview with The Michigan Daily. However, she acknowledged a broader increase in measles cases across the United States, noting that the virus was considered eliminated in the U.S. In 2000 but has seen a record number of cases last year and likely this year.

Public exposure locations identified by the health department include Briarwood Mall and the Crunch Fitness gym in Ypsilanti, where the risk of transmission was considered higher due to the size and enclosed nature of the facilities. The measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the MMR vaccine is 97% effective in preventing measles. The vaccine is typically administered in two doses, the first between 12 and 15 months, and the second between ages 4 and 6. However, vaccination rates have been declining in Michigan since the beginning of 2025, a trend coinciding with changes in federal vaccine policy.

A Reuters analysis found that the percentage of toddlers under three fully vaccinated fell nearly three percentage points to 66.5% since January 2025. This decline has been linked to growing public skepticism toward vaccines, particularly following policy changes implemented under Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

On January 5, the DHHS overhauled the official recommended childhood immunization schedule, reducing the number of universally recommended vaccines from 17 to 11. While the MMR vaccine remained on the recommended list, the move was widely criticized by medical professionals who expressed concerns about increased confusion regarding vaccine safety. A federal judge struck down the changes on March 16, but the administration intends to appeal the decision.

Emily Stoneman, associate hospital epidemiologist and infection control director at the University of Michigan Medical School, stated that Kennedy Jr.’s skepticism towards vaccines has significantly eroded public trust in public health measures. “He has really undermined confidence in public health and the safety and effectiveness of vaccines,” Stoneman said. “The MMR vaccine has been around for decades and has been proven safe and effective. It’s actually one of the most effective, if not the most effective vaccine that we have. It’s just unfortunate.”

Stoneman highlighted the highly contagious nature of measles, noting its reproductive number of approximately 18, meaning one infected person can potentially infect 18 others. She also emphasized the particular vulnerability of unvaccinated children, with an estimated 95,000 measles-related deaths globally in 2024, the majority among children under five years of age. Measles complications can include blindness, brain swelling, pneumonia, and severe respiratory issues.

Ringler Cerniglia urged residents to check their vaccination status and consider getting vaccinated if unsure. “Check your vaccine status,” she said. “If you’re not sure you were vaccinated as a child, you can go ahead and get another one and then you don’t have to be concerned about an exposure like this. You can also do a blood test called a titer and check to see if you have any immunity. We always want people to be well-informed.”