Second suspected 2026 measles case in Michigan likely due to exposure from the first

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. — Health departments are monitoring a suspected second case of measles in the state.

Washtenaw County Health Department officials confirmed Michigan’s first 2026 case of measles on Wednesday after an unvaccinated adult from Washtenaw County tested positive, and on Thursday, said they are monitoring a second suspected case of measles in an unvaccinated individual, believed to be a result of exposure to the first case.

“Unfortunately, we expect to see additional cases in exposed, unvaccinated individuals, as measles is very contagious,” Juan Luis Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department, said. “We urge people to protect themselves and their families with MMR vaccination if they haven’t already.”

Department officials said they believe the first case contracted measles during a recent trip to Florida.

The measles virus can live up to two hours in the air and anyone present at the following locations during the listed dates and times may have been exposed:

March 4, Crunch Fitness (3020 Washtenaw Ave.) 5:00pm to 8:40pmMarch 4, Sidetrack Bar & Grill (56 E. Cross St.) 7:45pm to 1:00amMarch 5, Briarwood Mall (100 Briarwood Cir.) 3:00pm to 6:30pm March 5, T-Mobile (2044 Whittaker Rd.) 6:00pm to 8:40pmMarch 5, Cricket Wireless (2547 Ellsworth Rd.) 6:55pm to 8:55pmMarch 6, CVS Pharmacy (1415 E Michigan Ave.) 4:00pm to 6:07pmMarch 6, Cricket Wireless (2547 Ellsworth Rd.) 7:00pm to 10:00pmMarch 7, Ypsilanti Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic (301 W Michigan Ave. #100) 7:15pm to 9:27pmMarch 8, Canton Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic (43033 Ford Rd.) 4:30pm to 7:00pm

Anyone who may have been exposed is advised to monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days, and if any appear, call their health care provider. Do not seek medical treatment in person without calling the doctor’s office first. Symptoms include:

High fever (may spike to over 104F)CoughRunny noseRed, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms beginA rash that is red, raised, and blotchy that usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms, and legs three to five days after symptoms begin

If confirmed as a positive measles infection, this would be Michigan’s second case of measles this year, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. For all of 2025, health officials recorded 30 confirmed cases of measles across 10 counties: Allegan, Grand Traverse, Ingham, Kent, Macomb, Marquette, Montcalm, Muskegon, Oakland, and Osceola.

The most up to date information on measles cases in Michigan can be found on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services dashboard updated every Thursday.

Nationally, health officials have confirmed 1,362 cases of measles this year and 2,283 were recorded for all of 2025.