What measles vaccine refusal can look like (Photo: Wikipedia)
As a measles outbreak in Oakland County continues to spread -- 34 confirmed cases, the most since 1991 -- health officials in the metro area are warning individuals of all ages to check their immunization status and be aware of symptoms.
The Oakland County Health Division issued news releases and information sheets, with versions translated into Spanish, Arabic and Hebrew, and conducted special measles vaccine clinics at its Southfield office and at Young Israel of Oak Park.
More than 2,000 people had been vaccinated as of April 1, and efforts continue, said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for the Oakland County Health Division.
Reporters Mike Martindale and Shawn D. Lewis detail the case of one Oakland County man, who contracted the disease and spiked a fever of 105 degrees. He "felt like he was being burned alive," but was discouraged from coming into the hospital, due to the highly contagious nature of measles. He has since recovered.
