(WXYZ) — The growing outbreak of measles in Michigan, specifically in Oakland County, can be linked back to the outbreak of measles in New York, according to a report from CNN.
Currently, there are 39 cases of measles in the outbreak. Of those, 38 are in Oakland County.
Lynn Sutfin, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, told CNN that a man from New York traveled to Michigan by vehicle while contagious.
"He was unknowingly contagious with the measles during his visit here," she said. "All 38 other cases of measles in southeast Michigan can be linked to this individual."
According to the state, there is an unrelated case of measles in Washtenaw County that is linked to international travel.
Last week, state health officials reduced their count of measles in Michigan from 41 to 39 after additional testing determined two reported cases weren't the disease.
Health officials still are urging people to get vaccinated if they haven't received the vaccine in the past. The number of measles cases in Michigan is the highest since 65 in 1991.
On Monday, U.S. health officials said 555 measles cases have been confirmed across the United States, up from 465 the week before. 20 states have reported cases, but New York has the largest count of people.
The outbreak is New York began in October in ultra-orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, after an unvaccinated child was infected while visiting Israel.
"Since then, there have been additional people from Brooklyn and Queens who were unvaccinated and acquired measles while in Israel. People who did not travel were also infected in Brooklyn and Rockland County," the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website said.
