Officials: 2 new measles cases confirmed in Mich.

Two more cases of measles have been confirmed in Michigan this year, according to state officials.

The two ill individuals are residents of Oakland and Washtenaw counties, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Service said.

The new cases raise the total cases of measles in the state for 2018 to four, the deparmtent said. Last year, there were two cases of measles in Michigan.

Measles is a preventable respiratory infection that can cause pneumonia, encephalitis and death.

The illness begins with a high fever, red eyes, cough, runny nose, and is followed by a red, raised body rash starting on the head and face that then spreads to the rest of the body.

All four of this year's cases in Michigan were the result of exposure outside of the country, officials said.

In the two most recent cases, one of the ill individuals arrived in Michigan on July 18 at 11:59 p.m. at Detroit Metropolitan Airport's North Terminal and did not advise officials of being ill, the agency said. At the time, the person was was considered contagious. Limited exposure to others at DTW may have occurred as this individual exited international baggage claim.

Health officials are in the process of contacting potentially exposed passengers from the flight, they said.

The second ill individual was not contagious during their flight or while at DTW, they also said.

Anyone who may have been exposed at DTW should watch for symptoms consistent with measles for 21 days after the possible exposure. If symptoms appear, contact your health care provider promptly.

“Measles is easily spread, and these cases emphasize the importance of being up-to-date on all vaccinations for everyone’s protection,” Eden Wells, the state health department's chief medical executive, said in a statement. “The bottom line is immunizations are the best way to protect our families and communities from the harmful, sometimes deadly consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.”

Michigan's first case of measles was confirmed in March. The second case was reported in June. 

cramirez@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @CharlesERamirez