Wisconsin measles outbreak grows to 92 cases in three counties
Wisconsin’s measles outbreak has jumped from 42 to 92 cases across three counties, but health officials say no public exposure locations have been reported
Advertisement
Updated: 5:14 PM CDT Aug 28, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Matt Sinn
News Director
Wisconsin measles outbreak grows to 92 cases in three counties
Wisconsin’s measles outbreak has jumped from 42 to 92 cases across three counties, but health officials say no public exposure locations have been reported
Updated: 5:14 PM CDT Aug 28, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Matt Sinn
News Director
MADISON, Wis. —
The number of measles cases associated with an outbreak in southwestern Wisconsin has increased significantly, rising from 42 reported Tuesday to 92 in the latest state update
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, or DHS, said the outbreak involves Grant, Iowa and Lafayette counties. The increase reflects continued transmission among people connected to previously identified cases, according to the department
Advertisement
Health officials said the higher case count does not necessarily mean the broader public faces an increased risk of exposure
Federal, state and local public health agencies continue to investigate the cases, identify and notify close contacts and determine whether exposures may have occurred in public places. Officials said the public will be notified if any potential public exposure locations are identified
No public exposure locations have been reported
The latest figures represent a sharp increase from an Aug. 21 update, when DHS reported 41 confirmed and seven probable cases associated with the outbreak. At that time, Grant County had two confirmed cases, Iowa County had 35 confirmed cases and Lafayette County had four confirmed and seven probable cases
DHS later corrected the number of new confirmed and probable cases included in that update
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area
The disease can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, brain damage and deafness. In some cases, measles can be fatal
Symptoms generally develop 10 to 21 days after exposure and may include:
- A runny nose
- A high fever, sometimes exceeding 104 degrees
- Tiredness
- A cough
- Red or watery eyes, also known as conjunctivitis
- A red, raised rash that begins at the hairline and spreads to the arms and legs three to five days after other symptoms begin
People with possible measles should call a doctor’s office or clinic before arriving. Advance notice allows health care workers to take precautions and prevent exposure to other patients
DHS urges residents to check vaccinations
Measles can be prevented with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, commonly called the MMR vaccine. Two doses are 97% effective at preventing measles
The department is encouraging Wisconsin residents to check their vaccination records and make sure their families are protected
Residents can check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry or contact a health care provider or local health department to confirm their vaccination status
Additional information and the state’s measles dashboard are available on the DHS measles webpage. Grant County residents may contact the Grant County Health Department at 608-723-6416 or health@co.grant.wi.gov
Make WISN a preferred source on Google
Add Preferred Source
