12 March 21 • 2019 jn 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