The science behind vaccination to prevent measles and other infectious diseases is time-tested. Milwaukee health officials are currently monitoring a few suspected measles cases and conducting contact tracing for nearly 600 individuals who may have come into contact with an individual with a confirmed case of measles.
According to the City of Milwaukee Health Department, a Milwaukee resident who works in Waukesha County recently tested positive for measles. However, the individual is now recovering and is no longer contagious. The focus has now shifted to the suspected cases, with individuals exhibiting symptoms being isolated. Dr. Heather Paradis, Milwaukee’s chief medical officer, emphasized that no vaccine is 100% effective and that vaccine coverage can wane over time.
This particular case has garnered special attention due to the resident’s multiple visits to different locations, the highly contagious nature of the disease, and the declining vaccination rates in the community, which has raised concerns among the medical community.
Measles is a preventable viral infection that can easily spread and be fatal for young children. It can be transmitted through the air and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. The availability of measles vaccines has led to a decrease in death rates worldwide.
However, a recent report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum highlighted that approximately 90,000 K-12 students in Wisconsin, about one in ten students, are not up-to-date on vaccines for preventable diseases like measles, polio, and hepatitis B.
Milwaukee Health Department officials, along with Waukesha County Health & Human Services and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, are working to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. They have released a list of dates and locations in Milwaukee that the infected individual recently visited.
If individuals were present at any of these locations during the specified dates and times and are not experiencing any symptoms, they are encouraged to visit the City of Milwaukee Health Department’s Northwest Health Center Drive-Thru Clinic to receive the MMR vaccination.
Those who suspect they may have been exposed are advised to check their MMR immunization status by accessing their records through the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR). Individuals can also reach out to their doctor’s office or local health department for assistance.
Measles symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after initial infection and may include fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes, and a characteristic rash. The infection progresses in stages over two to three weeks, during which fever and rash are common symptoms.
Measles can be dangerous, especially for infants and young children, and can lead to complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, which can cause seizures and long-term disabilities. Hospitalization rates for measles cases are relatively high, and in the United States, one to two out of every 1,000 children with measles may die from the disease.
Health experts strongly recommend vaccination as the best protection against measles. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is widely available. The City of Milwaukee Health Department’s Northwest Health Center Drive-Thru Clinic is offering the MMR vaccination, along with COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, on Saturday, October 14.
In addition to the drive-thru clinic, eligible individuals can also schedule a vaccination appointment at local Walgreens or CVS pharmacies.
The last known measles outbreak in Wisconsin occurred in October 2021 at Fort McCoy, an Army installation in Monroe County. Twenty-two Afghan evacuees arrived at the installation infected with the virus, and fourteen required treatment at nearby hospitals.
It is vital for individuals to stay informed about their immunization status and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of measles and other infectious diseases.