The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Oconto County Public Health have identified five more cases of measles in Oconto County.
The additional cases are linked to the nine cases confirmed in the county Aug. 2, which bring the total number of cases to 14. DHS is working with Oconto County and surrounding local public health departments to identify and directly notify people with known exposures.
Investigators have not identified public settings in which a complete list of people can be obtained.
The ongoing investigation indicates that measles is spreading locally.
DHS is working in coordination with Oconto County Public Health and surrounding local public health departments to identify and directly notify people with known exposures.
Traci DeSalvo, director of the DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases, and Stephanie Schauer, Wisconsin Immunization Program manager, said those who are most at risk are those who are not vaccinated or don’t know their vaccination status.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable 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.
It can cause serious health complications, including pneumonia, brain damage, deafness, and can sometimes be deadly.
The best way to protect against measles is to get vaccinated with the mumps, measles, rubella (MMR) vaccine. DHS recommends all children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine before age 4. Those who were born before 1957 are considered immune to measles.
The MMR vaccine is available at area doctor’s offices or clinics, local health departments and some pharmacies. People who do not have health insurance, or whose insurance may not cover vaccines may be able to get help from the Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults programs.
All Wisconsin residents can check their vaccination status in the Wisconsin Immunization Registry or contact their health care provider or local health department.
Anyone who develops symptoms of measles should stay home (do not see other people, including going to work, school, shopping, or using public transportation) and call their doctor’s office or clinic before visiting so staff can take precautions so that other patients are not exposed to the virus.
In an unrelated measles case, DHS and the St. Croix County Public Health Department and Rock County Public Health are working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed to measles from an out-of-state traveler who visited Wisconsin.
This investigation has identified two public locations and times where people may have been exposed:
• Flying J Travel Center 470, 1191 70th Ave., Roberts, on Aug. 4 between 7:15 a.m. and 10 a.m.
• Pilot Travel Center 289, 3001 Milwaukee Road, Beloit, on Aug. 4 between 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
