Two states have reported recent measles outbreaks. Is Wisconsin at risk?
At least six states in recent weeks have reported cases of measles, drawing renewed attention on the highly contagious disease amid lagging vaccination rates.
As of late February, the risk to Wisconsin is low, though there still remains a possibility of the disease making its way back into the state, Wisconsin Department of Health Service Immunization Program Coordinator Dr. Stephanie Schauer told the Journal Sentinel in an email. Wisconsin last reported a measles case in April 2024.
In that instance, a Dane County adult was infected and was believed to have contracted the illness after traveling to another state.
Despite the low risk, Schauer emphasized measles is 'one of the most infectious diseases' and can easily spread amongst those who are not vaccinated. Spring break travel may expose even more people to the infection, she said.
It "could result in introduction of the disease to Wisconsin,' Schauer added.
Here's what to know about the latest measles outbreaks:
No, there have been no measles cases reported in Wisconsin in 2025.
Schauer said one case was reported in 2024 and one in 2023. None were reported in 2022.
Though two states have reported recent measles outbreaks, the U.S. is not close to a major nationwide outbreak. That last occurred in 2019, when 22 different outbreaks led to a total of 1,249 cases nationwide, according to the CDC. It was the highest number of measles cases in a single year since 1992.
However, though cases are not near 2019 levels, the outbreak in Texas had expanded to 58 cases as of Feb. 18, according to state health officials. Children 17 and under accounted for 48 of those cases, and almost all the infected people were unvaccinated for measles.
Meanwhile, in New Mexico, officials declared an outbreak last week, starting with two adults who had tested positive.
Additionally, as of Feb. 7, Alaska, Georgia, New York and Rhode Island have also reported cases.
Among kindergarteners, Wisconsin has some of the lowest vaccination rates for the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine in the country, according to most recent CDC data.
About 84.8% of Wisconsin kindergartners were up-to-date on the MMR vaccine during the 2023-24 school year, down from 86.5% the prior school year and 92.8% during the 2019-2020 school year. Only Idaho and Alaska had lower MMR vaccination rates, though a few states did not provide robust data and Montana reported no data.
Data for 2024 child vaccination rates is not yet available, and Wisconsin does not typically measure measles vaccination rates for adults, Schauer said. Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune to measles, though this does not include high-risk groups, like health care workers, she added.
The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine for all children and at least one dose for adults who are not considered immune. Two doses of the vaccine are 97% effective in preventing measles.
Conversely, about 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles end up contracting it, according to the CDC. Additionally, one in five unvaccinated people who get measles end up needing hospitalization.
The MMR vaccine is available at area doctor's offices or clinics, local health departments, and some local pharmacies. Locate vaccine providers near you using vaccines.gov.
If you do not have health insurance, or your insurance may not cover vaccines, the state's Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults provides free vaccines.
More: Wisconsin is seeing among its worst flu seasons of the past decade. Here's why
If you believe you have been exposed to measles, the CDC urges you to immediately contact your healthcare provider.
The first signs of an infection typically pop up seven to 14 days after exposure, the CDC says. Initial symptoms may include:
High fever, which could surpass 104 degrees
Cough
Runny nose
Conjunctivitis
According to the CDC, white spots, called Koplik spots, may appear in an infected person's mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.
Following this, the measles rash begins. It typically appears three to five days after symptom onset and starts out as flat, red spots that appear at the hairline. The rash then spreads downwards, the CDC says. It may also:
Be accompanied by a high fever
Develop small raised bumps on top of red spots
Bunch up and join together as it spreads across the body
Common complications from measles include ear infections and diarrhea, though it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening issues, even death, according to the CDC. Serious complications include:
Pneumonia
Encephalitis, swelling of the brain
Hospitalization
Pregnancy complications
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)
There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles, according to the CDC.
Those infected with the disease should isolate for four days after the development of the rash and vitamin A may be administered repeatedly in severe cases, the agency says.
More: Wisconsinites urged to protect themselves with respiratory illnesses on the rise
USA TODAY reporter Janet Loehrke contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Is Wisconsin at risk of a measles outbreak?
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