The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Jackson County Public Health Department have confirmed two cases of measles in that county and are working together to identify and directly notify people who may have been exposed to the virus. The cases are related to out-of-state travel.
Since August, confirmed measles cases have also been reported in Chippewa, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Marathon, Richland, Rock, and Vernon Counties. Please continue to monitor the DHS Measles Dashboard and Outbreaks and Investigations webpage for regular updates of case counts.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be spread from person to person through the air and can stay in the air for two hours after a sick person coughs or sneezes. Measles can cause serious health complications, including pneumonia, brain damage, and deafness, and can sometimes be deadly.
Wisconsinites should know the symptoms of measles and call a health care provider if they develop symptoms, even if they are not aware of a specific exposure. Symptoms of measles typically appear approximately 10 to 21 days after being exposed to the virus.
DHS will send these messages when there are additional counties with confirmed cases of measles or if case counts increase significantly.
