Wisconsin measles cases reach 431 after three Columbia County reports

PORTAGE, Wis. — Columbia County Public Health confirmed three measles cases Wednesday, sending Wisconsin’s statewide tally to 431, according to the state Department of Health Services tracker, Channel 3000 reported.

Outbreak spans 14 counties, with nine hospitalizations statewide

The statewide outbreak now spans 14 counties, including Iowa, Grant, Lafayette, Rock, Chippewa, Marathon, Vernon, Dane, Waukesha, Buffalo, Richland, Marquette and Jackson. The state tracker lists nine hospitalizations and no deaths.

Last year, Wisconsin saw just 36 measles cases.

Measles spreads to Columbia County

Every confirmed case involves an unvaccinated person

County health officials are working to identify people who may have been exposed and are notifying them directly. So far, every confirmed and suspected case involves someone who was not vaccinated against measles.

No public exposure sites have been identified. Known exposures have been limited to private gatherings.

Virus lingers in the air for up to two hours

Measles is transmitted through airborne particles, and the virus can linger for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. The illness can cause pneumonia, brain damage and deafness, with young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems facing the highest risk of severe complications.

Fever above 104 degrees and rash appear days after exposure

Symptoms start with a runny nose, fever that can exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit, fatigue, cough and red, watery eyes. Typically, a red rash with raised bumps first appears at the hairline and then spreads to the arms and legs three to five days later. Symptoms generally appear 10 to 12 days after exposure.

The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as the MMR vaccine, offers the best protection.

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