Measles is a disease that is caused by a virus. The virus can very easily spread from person to person through the air. The virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after a sick person coughs or sneezes.
People who are sick with measles may start symptoms with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Two or three days after symptoms start, a red, flat rash may appear at the sick person's hairline and spread down the rest of the body.
You can protect yourself and your family by getting vaccinated!
New information!
On April 21, the Wisconsin Immunization Program was notified that a person with measles visited La Crosse and Trempealeau counties. The person's measles rash started on April 14 and they visited the Wisconsin counties from April 13-16. During their visit, the person was in a stage of their illness where they could pass the virus onto others. The person visited the following places on the dates and times listed below:
- Comfort Inn: 1223 Crossing Meadows Drive, Onalaska, 4/13/18-4/16/18
- Beedle's Bar and Restaurant W24966 State Rd 5493 Galesville, 4/13/18, 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
- Dollar Tree: 2910 Market Place, Onalaska, 4/14/18
- St. Mary's Catholic Church: 20344 West Ridge Ave, Galesville, 4/15/2018 from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- Champions Riverside Resort: W16751 Pow Wow Lane, Galesville, 4/15/18 12:30 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Fairfield Inn 434 3rd St. South, La Crosse 4/14/18 6:30 p.m.-12 midnight-Corrected date from last communication (recently we reported the individual was there on 4/15/18)
- Texas Roadhouse: 4310 WI-16, La Crosse 4/15/18 9 p.m.-11:15 p.m.
If you visited any of the places listed above during these dates and times, or have any of the signs or symptoms listed above, please call your doctor.
Information for parents or patients
Measles is a highly contagious disease. If you have measles-like symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Measles Disease Information
- Measles fact sheet, P-42174 - What do you need to know about measles? available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali
- Measles disease overview- A resource from the CDC that answers frequently asked questions about measles disease.
Measles Immunization Information
- Measles vaccination information-Information for parents about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
- MMR vaccine information statement- in multiple languages-Explains the risks of measles disease and benefits of vaccination.
- Public immunization record access- Are you trying to find your or your child's immunization record? The Wisconsin Immunization Registry may be able to help.
Measles Communication
Information for local health departments
Measles is a highly contagious disease. Local health departments and tribal clinics should work with health care providers in their jurisdictions to take immediate steps if there is a suspected or confirmed case. A recording of the Wisconsin Immunization Program Question and Answer session with local health departments from 4/24/2018 is now available.
Measles is a Wisconsin Disease Surveillance Category I disease:
- Report IMMEDIATELY by TELEPHONE to the patient's local health department upon identification of a confirmed or suspected case. The local health department shall then notify the state epidemiologist immediately of any confirmed or suspected cases. Within 24 hours, submit a case report electronically through the Wisconsin Electronic Surveillance System (WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report, F-44151 (Word) or by other means.
- DHS Communicable Disease Reporting
Wisconsin case reporting and public health follow-up guidelines:
- Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol (EpiNet): P-01989 Measles (PDF)
- Measles surveillance and control guidelines, P-00892 (PDF)
- Section 1 reviews the disease
- Section 2 covers specimen collection and laboratory testing
- Section 3 covers reporting and case investigation
- Section 4 covers disease control
- Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene Clinical Testing Reference Manual
- ACIP recommendations
What is a disease investigation? Follow CDC's guidelines and best practices.
Information for health care professionals
Measles is a highly contagious disease. Health care providers should report immediately to the patient's local health department if there is a confirmed or suspected case. Providers should also work with their infection control to prevent the spread of disease to others.
Please review the GovD message from the Wisconsin Immunization Program from 4/23/2018 for an overview of measles disease and control.
Measles is a Wisconsin Disease Surveillance Category I disease:
- Report IMMEDIATELY by TELEPHONE to the patient's local health department upon identification of a confirmed or suspected case. The local health department shall then notify the state epidemiologist immediately of any confirmed or suspected cases. Within 24 hours, submit a case report electronically through the Wisconsin Electronic Surveillance System (WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report, F-44151 (Word) or by other means.
- DHS Communicable Disease Reporting
Wisconsin case reporting and public health follow-up guidelines:
- Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol (EpiNet): P-01989 Measles (PDF)
- Measles surveillance and control guidelines, P-00892 (PDF)
- Section 1 reviews the disease
- Section 2 covers specimen collection and laboratory testing
- Section 3 covers reporting and case investigation
- Section 4 covers disease control
- Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene Clinical Testing Reference Manual
- Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations
Resources for clinicians
- Measles journal articles
- Measles photos
- Posters and videos for your office from EZIZ
- Minimize Measles Transmission In Your Clinic-From the Minnesota Department of Public Health
