An outbreak of measles in two countiesreported earlier this month has spread and is affecting 48 people, the state health department reported Friday
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has identified a total of 41 confirmed cases and seven “probable” cases, reported in Grant, Iowa and Lafayette counties. They include two cases in Grant County, which were reported earlier this week, and 35 in Iowa County
In Lafayette County, the count is now four confirmed measles cases and seven probable cases. One of the confirmed cases is new, along with the four probable cases, DHS reported in an updated announcement
So far DHS has not found evidence of public exposure to the virus, meaning the cases identified so far appear to have been spread between people who knew each other
State health officials are recommending that people check their vaccination status. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is the best protection against measles, health officials say
DHS is recommending that anyone who isn’t sure whether they have the MMR vaccine check their vaccination status at theWisconsin Immunization Registry or with their local public health department or healthcare provider
A federal report in July found that nationwide, measles cases havereached their highest level in 35 years. The reemergence of the viral illness, which public health experts said had been eliminated by 2000, coincides with declining vaccination rates in the U.S
Since Jan. 1, the number of Wisconsin measles cases has grown to 50 and with one exception, everyone who has taken ill was not vaccinated for the disease
DHS operates aMeasles Dashboard and a webpage forOutbreaks and Investigations that supplies more public information about public health conditions, with 12% of cases in children age 4 or younger, 44% in children ages 5 to 17, and 44% in adults 18 or older
This report was updated with additional information from DHS
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