DHS: Most Milwaukee residents exposed to measles on flight from Phoenix not required to quarantine

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) Milwaukee health officials are providing new details about a measles case tied to travel through Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport last month. This is the third confirmed measles case in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) says six Milwaukee residents were potentially exposed after an infected passenger flew from Phoenix into Milwaukee. Officials say there may be additional exposures, but those individuals live in other states.

Milwaukee health officials shared some encouraging news, saying the majority of the six people identified have been vaccinated and do not need to quarantine.

Health officials say the infected passenger had been advised to isolate but still traveled to several locations before boarding the flight to Milwaukee. After landing, the individual traveled to Walworth County, where they are now isolating.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Mike Totoraitis said the situation is especially concerning because of the risk to unvaccinated children.

“It’s incredibly concerning. A parent who was walking their infant under the age of 1 through the airport terminal could have been exposed, and that child is not eligible for the vaccine,” Totoraitis said. “Measles is more contagious than COVID.”

Officials are continuing efforts to contact additional airport staff who may have been exposed. Health officials say this case is not connected to recent measles cases in Waukesha or Dane counties.