2 new measles cases reported in northern Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Two more cases of measles have been confirmed in Michigan, one in Osceola County and one in neighboring Missaukee County.
District Health Department #10 confirmed the Missaukee County case on Monday. The Central Michigan District Health Department confirmed the Osceola County case last week.
So far, no public exposure sites have been identified for either case.
Based on data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the latest case should bring the state’s count to 16 so far in 2026 and the first since May.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the infectious disease has made a comeback due to a drop in childhood vaccination rates. So far this year, 2,465 cases have been confirmed nationwide. The CDC reported 2,289 in 2025, well up from 285 in 2024 and just 59 in 2023.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the MDHHS Chief Medical Executive, says vaccinations are more important than ever with the rising infections.
“The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine remains our best defense, and two doses of MMR offer 97% protection against measles. We urge all Michigan residents to check their vaccination records to ensure they are up to date with the MMR vaccine,” she added.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air and direct person-to-person contact. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present.
Symptoms typically start within seven to 14 days of exposure but can appear up to three weeks after initial exposure. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. It also comes with a signature rash that is red, raised and blotchy. It typically starts on the face before spreading to the torso, arms and legs. The disease commonly causes tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth two to three days after initial symptoms.
