Measles began becoming a problem again in Michigan in 2019, and cases have been reported each of the last three years. Health officials have now confirmed the first case of 2026.
Resurgence of Measles in Michigan Raises Concern
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 due to high vaccination rates, meaning the disease was no longer continuously spreading within the country. However, this did not mean measles had disappeared entirely, as outbreaks could still occur when unvaccinated travelers brought the virus into the U.S. from other countries.
Declining vaccination rates over the past 6 to 10 years in Michigan and across the United States have contributed to an increase in measles cases. While Michigan saw a major resurgence in 2019, the state recorded its highest number of cases in decades in 2025.
Michigan’s first confirmed measles case in 2026 was found in an unvaccinated adult.
Health Officials Confirm First Measles Case in Michigan
According to WOOD-TV, an infected person visited an urgent care clinic in Canton on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The individual had recently traveled to Florida, which the Washtenaw County Health Department believes is where the adult contracted measles. The person also visited several locations in Ypsilanti between March 4 and March 7, prompting the health department to warn the public about possible exposure to the disease.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air and through person-to-person contact. Symptoms usually appear one to three weeks after exposure.
Download the WGRD Mobile App Now
The best way for Michiganders to avoid measles is for everyone who is at least 12 months old to get vaccinated, which helps protect both the individual and the people they come into contact with…