New Measles Case Confirmed
Wisconsin Health Officials Confirm New Measles Case in Marathon County
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Key Points
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The case was confirmed through testing at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene.
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Measles can spread through the air and remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
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Health officials warned that measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain damage and deafness, and can sometimes be fatal.
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The typical incubation period is approximately 10 to 21 days; the rash consists of raised red bumps that begin at the hairline and spread to the arms and legs three to five days after symptoms start.
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Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% effective at preventing the disease, according to DHS.
Wisconsin health officials confirmed a measles case in Marathon County on Wednesday, marking the first case outside the state's southwest outbreak region. Wisconsin Department of Health Services confirmed the case through testing at the State Lab of Hygiene. The infected resident was exposed during out-of-state travel and has no connection to the ongoing southwest Wisconsin outbreak.
No public locations have been identified where people may have been unknowingly exposed, according to health officials. Residents who develop high fever or a red rash should stay home and call a health care provider before visiting. The measles vaccine remains the most effective prevention, with two doses showing 97% effectiveness.
How Measles Spreads and Infects
Measles spreads through the air when infected people cough or sneeze. The Centers Square reports the virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after exposure. The typical incubation period ranges from 10 to 21 days before symptoms appear.
The rash begins as raised red bumps at the hairline. It then spreads down to the arms and legs over three to five days. Other early symptoms include high fever and cough.
Why Measles Can Be Deadly
Measles can cause serious complications in some patients. Wisconsin Department of Health Services warns that pneumonia, brain damage, and deafness can result from infection. In rare cases, measles can be fatal.
Children under five, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe complications. Those showing symptoms should call a health care provider before visiting in person to prevent spreading the disease.
Vaccination Offers Strong Protection
Two doses of the measles vaccine provide 97% protection against the disease, Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports. Most children receive the vaccine as part of routine childhood immunizations. One dose is approximately 93% effective.
Urban Milwaukee notes this Marathon County case brings the statewide confirmed infection total to 164. Health officials continue urging unvaccinated residents to get vaccinated as the outbreak spreads beyond its original southwest location.
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