12 March 21 • 2019
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J
ust a few hours after David and Erin
Stiebel hosted a bris for their fourth
son last week, word spread through
the Orthodox community that an Israeli
visitor who had been to a number of
local Jewish establishments and countless
homes was diagnosed with measles.
Because their newborn was too young
to be vaccinated, the Southfield couple
was understandably concerned about
this highly contagious disease. Once the
Stiebels confirmed the infected individ-
ual was not at the bris, held at Yeshiva
Beth Yehudah, or in the building before
the ceremony, they felt
less worried. Still, they
had some concerns
because earlier in the
week David had contact
with a stranger who had
“a notable cough.
”
Conversations with the
health department and
physicians eased their anxiety. David had
been vaccinated for measles. There was
no further reason to be concerned.
Health officials confirmed the case on
Wednesday, March 13, saying the infect-
ed individual came to the area from
Israel after spending time in New York.
This person visited Ahavas Olam Torah
Center, Congregation Ahavas Yisroel,
Congregation Yagdil Torah, Dovid
ben Nuchim-Aish Kodesh, Jerusalem
Pizza, Kollel Institute of Greater Detroit,
Mikveh Israel, One Stop Kosher Market
and Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit
as well as Lincoln Liquor & Rx.
Responding to the wide exposure, the
Oakland County Health Department
offered a measles vaccine clinic last
Friday at Young Israel of Oak Park.
Forty-three people, not all necessarily
Jewish, received vaccinations.
Those interviewed didn’
t know the
identity of the man who contracted
measles but said he was in town solic-
iting donations for a program to help
high school drop-outs in Israel. Local
Orthodox families often receive door-to-
door solicitations, especially from inter-
national visitors.
Rabbi Daniel Arm, a coordinator with
the Tzedakah Enhancement Project,
vets such solicitors to confirm a cause
is legitimate. Arm met with the man,
researched his organization and issued
him a letter stating his cause was worthy.
“This has people really nervous
because this man was in almost all the
local Jewish establishments, and he went
door to door throughout the commu-
nity. He went to places we all frequent
and, truthfully, all of us could have had
exposure to him during his time here,
”
said Michelle Faber, a pediatrician with
Southfield Pediatrics and Orthodox.
SAFETY ISSUES
Measles is a highly contagious, vac-
cine-preventable disease spread by direct
person-to-person contact and through
the air. The virus can live for up to two
hours after an infected person leaves,
according to Dr. Carl Lauter, a specialist
in infectious diseases and allergy and
immunology at William Beaumont
Hospital. Symptoms typically present
within seven to 14 days after exposure
but can appear up to 21 days later and
include a rash, high fever, cough, runny
nose, red, watery eyes and small white
lesions in the patient’
s mouth.
Those who have been vaccinated for
measles or previously had the measles
are not at risk for contracting the dis-
ease, but approximately 90 percent of
those who have not been vaccinated and
become exposed will develop it.
Faber’
s pediatric office received inqui-
ries from concerned parents, and she
heard from family and friends asking
for advice. Her office treats a number
of Orthodox patients. She said the vast
majority of them are vaccinated.
“Not everyone is vaccinated, but I have
more non-Jewish, non-religious patients
who are unvaccinated than I do religious
patients who are unvaccinated,
” she said.
“Most religious leaders in the Jewis
h
community are in favor of vaccinating.
”
Lauter added there is a small percent-
age of sects from all religions that tell
their congregants not to vaccinate, but
such advice is based on misinformation.
He said there is nothing in the inter-
pretations of the Torah that say not to
vaccinate.
Michigan law requires children
enrolled in public or private schools,
licensed day care centers and preschools
to be vaccinated unless there is a medical
reason for exemption. Parents who want
to opt out based on philosophical or reli-
gious objections must get a waiver from
their county health department; private
schools can choose not to accept waivers.
Recommendations for the MMR
(measles, mumps and rubella) vacci-
nation are to administer the first dose
between age 12-15 months with the sec-
ond dose at age 4. Faber tells concerned
Scare
jews d
in
the
Confi
rmed case in
visiting Israeli prompts
cautionary mode.
Measles
JENNIFER LOVY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Erin Stiebel
continued on page 14
JOHN HARDWICK