New Update Provided On Measles Outbreak In Wisconsin

Measles outbreaks have been making headlines lately in parts of the U.S. Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus that can be spread through the air and through direct contact with persons who are infected.

A measles vaccine was developed in 1963 by John F. Enders and his colleagues at Boston Children's Hospital, and it was licensed for use in the United States in the same year.

Health Officials say that most people in Wisconsin are vaccinated against measles as children, which provides lifetime immunity, and it's unvaccinated young children and other non-immune adults who are at the highest risk of serious disease from the disease.

People who have never been vaccinated and are exposed to a person with measles can spread the virus to others in the community, leading to outbreaks. That's what happened recently in Wisconsin, and health officials have now provided an update.

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Update On Measles Outbreak In Northeast Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Oconto County Public Health recently reported that as of Friday, September 12, 2025, they have identified 36 cases of measles in Oconto County. There have been two hospitalizations reported. All reported cases are confirmed.

Health officials note that confirmed measles cases are those that meet clinical criteria for measles and have been laboratory-confirmed or have a direct link to a laboratory-confirmed case, as determined by location and time. Probable cases meet the clinical description of measles, but have not been laboratory confirmed or linked to a laboratory-confirmed case.

The department's ongoing investigation indicates that measles is spreading locally.  Those who are most at risk are those who are not vaccinated or don’t know their vaccination status.

Therefore, anyone who believes they have been exposed to measles and is not immune should remain at home and monitor for symptoms.

Measles Symptoms

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Measles typically begins with:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104°)
• Cough
• Runny nose (coryza)
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Tiredness

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Then, generally within 2 to 3 days after initial symptoms begin, Koplik spots can appear. These are tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth.

After 3 to 5 days of the initial symptoms, a measles rash appears. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline. They then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.

Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots. The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
When the rash appears, a person's fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit.

Health officials say that it's important for anyone who develops symptoms of measles to stay home and not see other people, including going to work, school, shopping, or using public transportation.

Lastly, be sure to call their doctor’s office or clinic before visiting so the staff can take precautions to prevent other patients from being exposed to the virus.

The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated with the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.