KENT COUNTY, Mich. — The Kent County Health Department announced Friday that an infant is being tested for measles.
According to a release, the child is suffering from a “rash illness,” but the symptoms are not fully consistent with measles. Further testing by the Centers for Disease Control are being performed to confirm the illness is measles.
The CDC test results are expected late next week.
“The child has not reached the age range for vaccination (12 months-15 months). Parents are self-isolating the child based on CDC recommendations as a precautionary measure,” the health department said in a release.
Kent County Administrative Health Officer Adam London said there are inconsistencies in the child’s symptoms compared to the case definition of measles.
“Still, this situation should remind all of us that community based vaccination programs provide important protection for babies that are too young to receive the vaccine themselves,” London said in a release.
