MADISON, Wis. — Public health officials have reported the first confirmed case of measles in Dane County for the current year, sparking heightened vigilance against the backdrop of slipping vaccination rates, as detailed by recent data.
The individual with measles in Dane County is in isolation, and efforts are underway to trace contacts. Health officials caution those who might have been exposed to be alert for symptoms.
Understanding measles
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus.
Symptoms typically begin 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus and may include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and red, watery eyes. Small white spots may also appear inside the mouth. After a few days, a rash develops, usually starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. The rash can last for up to a week.
Measles can be a serious illness, especially in young children and people with weakened immune systems. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
“Measles can be prevented with vaccination, which is safe and effective,” said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, the chief medical officer for the DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases.
“With decreased rates, we must proactively ensure our community does not face an outbreak.”
Learn more about measles.
Routine vaccination rates decline
The measles case comes when Wisconsin has seen a worrying decline in routine vaccinations, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent graph from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services shows a statewide decrease in the vaccination rate for MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) among children aged 24 months, a crucial immunization milestone.
Specifically, the data updated as of April 15, 2024, illustrates a continuous decline in MMR vaccination rates since 2020, following the pandemic’s start. Initially, rates dipped by 3.5% in the second quarter of 2020, and despite some recovery, the rates in the first quarter of 2024 remain 2.1% below the 2017-2019 average.
Racine Unified School District is mirroring this trend, with local vaccination rates for children also experiencing a decrease. According to DHS, about 85% of the 16,182 students attending RUSD in the 2022-2023 school year were up to date on their vaccinations.
Such drops in immunization coverage can significantly increase the risk of measles and other preventable diseases spreading within schools and communities.
What is striking, however, is the disparity in the percentage of people vaccinated in the City of Racine and Racine County. Looking through the lens of Racine County, about 85 percent of residents were vaccinated for Measles. However, when breaking out the City of Racine, 62 percent of all city residents with Wisconsin Immunization Registry records have received two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Dottie-Kay Bowersox, public health administrator for the City of Racine Public Health Department, said the department continues to monitor measles cases in the region.
“At this time, there are no known measles cases within the City of Racine and notified of no links between City residents and the new case in Dane County,” Bowersox said. “The City’s Public Health Department is working closely with partners and the State of Wisconsin to ensure all necessary follow-up relating to suspected cases is completed in a timely manner.”
State public health officials remind parents to get their children vaccinated
These falling rates call for an urgent response to reinstate the community’s herd immunity, especially among school-aged children. The DHS encourages vaccination status verification and emphasizes the importance of immunizations before international travel.
The last significant measles outbreak in Wisconsin was recorded in 1997, over 20 years ago. Since then, vigilant vaccination practices have kept the disease at bay. The current measles case is a stark reminder of the necessity to maintain and bolster vaccination efforts.
The DHS continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates on the exposure sites as they become available. Parents and guardians are advised to consult with healthcare providers regarding their children’s vaccination status and to seek measles immunization if they still need it.
Editor’s note: Elements of this article were generated by ChatGPT.
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