Public Health Madison & Dane County continues to investigate the confirmed case of measles in Dane County. So far, the investigation has identified the following locations where people may have been exposed to measles:
- Qdoba Restaurant
- 2 N. Park Street, Madison, WI
- Sunday, January 25 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
- UW-Madison Brogden Psychology Building
- 1202 W. Johnson Street, Madison, WI
- Monday, January 26 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Tuesday, January 27 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Wednesday, January 28 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Waisman Center
- 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI
- Monday, January 26 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- Wednesday, January 28 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
- UW-Madison Genetics Building: Biotechnology Center Building
- 425 Henry Mall, Madison, WI
- Tuesday, January 27 from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
- UW-Madison Union South
- 1308 W. Dayton Street, Madison, WI
- Monday, January 26, from 7:00 pm to 9:15 pm and
- Tuesday, January 27, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
For these locations, there is not a list of specific people exposed, so direct outreach is not possible. Anyone at these locations during the dates and times should monitor themselves for symptoms of measles and check their vaccination status as soon as possible. Wisconsin residents can find their immunization records using the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) or call your health care provider. If more sites are identified, we will add them to our website.
“Measles is a very contagious virus that spreads easily and rapidly through coughing and sneezing,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County. “Simply being in the same room with someone who has measles is enough to get infected if unvaccinated with the measles vaccine. So, we ask anyone who may have been at one of the listed exposure locations to take this seriously.”
Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, beginning with a fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a rash that usually spread from the head to the rest of the body. If you develop any of these symptoms, stay home (do not go to work, school, shopping, or use public transportation) and call your doctor’s office or clinic before visiting so they can take precautions so that other patients are not exposed to the virus.
Measles can be prevented by the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) immunization. The MMR vaccine can protect you from serious illness. Most people got the measles vaccination since two doses are required for school entry. CDC considers people who received two doses of measles vaccine as children according to the U.S. vaccination schedule protected for life, and they do not ever need a booster dose.
“I’m very concerned to learn of a measles case in Dane County,” said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “Just a few generations ago, this highly contagious disease infected millions and killed thousands every year. I strongly recommend that everyone protect themselves and their family members by getting a vaccine. Together, we can stop the spread of measles and fully eradicate this deadly disease.”
“MMR vaccine not only protects families, but also vulnerable members of the community who cannot be vaccinated, like babies who are too young to be immunized or those with weakened immune systems,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “This vaccine is very safe and effective. It is much safer than getting the diseases and protects those around you as well.”
Public Health offers free vaccines to uninsured adults and children, and children with Medical Assistance. Please reach out to Public Health at health@publichealthmdc.com or call (608) 266-4821 with questions about a possible exposure.
