Monitoring measles; 6 Milwaukee residents potentially exposed on flight
6 Milwaukee residents potentially exposed to measles on flight
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has identified six Milwaukee residents potentially exposed to the measles on a recent flight that traveled to Mitchell International Airport.
MILWAUKEE - Health officials say one of the most contagious diseases in the world has now surfaced in three confirmed cases in Wisconsin, with the latest exposure linked to air travel into Milwaukee.
Measles case
The backstory:
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has identified six Milwaukee residents potentially exposed to the measles on a recent flight that traveled to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. DHS says a person infected with measles flew from Phoenix to Milwaukee after being told to isolate.
DHS officials said on Friday, Feb. 6, that the case is linked to a confirmed case in another state, and comes as DHS' Wisconsin Wastewater Monitoring Program also detected measles in untreated wastewater collected in Walworth County. This is the first detection of measles in wastewater in Wisconsin.
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Officials said the case was exposed to measles out of state and is not linked to current confirmed cases in Waukesha County and Dane County. No additional personal identifying or health information will be released by DHS.
Doctors warn that measles spreads extraordinarily easily.
"It’s really probably the most contagious infectious germ that we know of on planet earth," said Dr. Joe McBride, UW Health Kids pediatric infectious disease physician and UW School of Medicine and Public Health assistant professor of medicine. "Measles is a respiratory virus. It is incredibly easy to be transmitted from one infected individual to a susceptible individual."
McBride said symptoms can begin like a cold before developing into a painful rash. He said the illness can be especially dangerous for newborns and people who are immunocompromised.
Exposure identified
What we know:
Officials with the Milwaukee Health Department said on Monday, Feb. 9, that they have completed their initial outreach to the six residents who may have been exposed to measles. They are now working with airport officials to connect with potentially impacted staff.
No calls from the public have been received to date.
Traveler concerns
What they're saying:
Travelers at the airport said the news adds a new layer of anxiety.
"I think about getting a cold, but I don’t ever think about getting measles," said Reagan Woods, who was traveling. "To know that you have a sickness that could travel and affect so many people seems very selfish."
Woods said vaccinations are crucial.
"Get vaccinated, get your kids vaccinated and think about your fellow man," said Woods.
Check immunization records
What you can do:
A person's immunization records can be accessed through the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR). Anyone unable to access their records should contact their health care provider or MHD for assistance.
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MMR vaccines are available at doctors’ offices, some pharmacies, and at no cost at MHD Clinics during walk-in immunization hours.
Waukesha County measles case confirmed, Wisconsin health officials say
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Waukesha County Health and Human Services confirmed on Monday, Jan. 26, one case of measles in a resident of Waukesha County.
According to state data, Wisconsin ranks among the three lowest states in the country for kindergarten measles vaccination rates, at 84.8%. Public health experts say herd immunity requires about 95%.
What's next:
Milwaukee Commissioner of Health Mike Totoraitis will provide additional answers to questions at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
The Source: Information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Health Department.