The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Public Health Madison Dane County have confirmed a second measles case in the state this year, occurring in Dane County. The individual was exposed during international travel and is not connected to the previous case in Waukesha County.
As per the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website, Health officials are working to identify and notify anyone who may have been in contact with the infected person, including potential exposures on the UW-Madison campus. Updates on public exposure locations are available on the DHS Outbreaks and Investigations webpage. The individual’s personal information remains confidential.
Measles spreads through airborne droplets and is highly contagious, with a 90% infection rate among unvaccinated individuals. Symptoms typically appear 10 to 21 days after exposure and include fever, runny nose, cough, fatigue, red eyes, and a rash. Complications can include pneumonia, brain damage, or hospitalization.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recommends that residents check and update their vaccination status. The two-dose MMR vaccine is about 97% effective against measles. Adults should have at least one dose, children require two, and people born before 1957 are generally considered immune. Residents can check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry, contact a healthcare provider, or call 211 for vaccination information.
Public health officials continue to monitor the Dane County case and will provide updates on exposure sites as needed. UW-Madison students can contact University Health Services at 608-265-5600 for information or services.
