Health department: Measles case confirmed in Milwaukee resident

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The City of Milwaukee Health Department has identified a confirmed case of measles in a Milwaukee resident who is employed in Waukesha County. Health officials are sounding the alarm in case anyone exposed wasn’t vaccinated.

According to a news release, the individual took necessary precautions after symptoms presented.

The City of Milwaukee Health Department, in conjunction with Waukesha County Health & Human Services and Wisconsin Department of Health Services, is working to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the measles virus and is implementing control measures so others do not get sick.

Measles, a highly contagious virus, can stay airborne for about two hours and can be spread by sneezing or coughing.

Although extremely rare to contract, Dr. Ben Weston of the Medical College of Wisconsin said just one case is still concerning.

"The diseases like measles and mumps and rubella-these are things that when I was in med school you don't see in patients you have to read about and memorize in textbooks," said Dr. Ben Weston.

Dr. Weston said less people are getting the MMR vaccine, a trend he's noticed since the pandemic.

"This is a combination of misinformation that's out there but also maybe more concerningly disinformation, people purposefully putting out incorrect information," said Dr. Weston. "It's important to remember what your best source for accurate information is and that's your healthcare provider."

Individuals who have been at following the locations during the following dates/times may have been exposed to the measles virus:

• Mother of Good Counsel Parish (6924 W Lisbon Ave, Milwaukee)
  • October 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Walgreens (3233 S 27th St, Milwaukee)
  • October 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. 
• Aurora St. Luke’s Emergency Department (2900 W Oklahoma Ave, Milwaukee)
• Aurora St. Luke’s Galleria Building – Breast Imaging, Pre-Admission Testing, Ambulatory Treatment Center, Outpatient Lab Draw Station
  • October 2 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
• Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic, CORE El Centro, The Healing Center, Lotus Legal, Clock Shadow Creamery (130-138 W Bruce St, Milwaukee)
  • October 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The health department says individuals onsite during these dates/times need to check their MMR immunization status as soon as possible. Individuals can access their immunization records using the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR). Instructions are available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. If you are unable to access your records, please contact your doctor’s office or your local health department.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be spread from person to person through the air and can stay in the air for two hours after a sick person coughs or sneezes.

Signs and symptoms of measles include:

• Runny nose
• High fever (may be greater than 104°F)
  
• Tiredness
  
• Cough
  
• Red, watery eyes, or conjunctivitis (“pink eye”)
  
• A red rash with raised bumps starts at the hairline and moves to the arms and legs three to five days after first symptoms appear.

Saturday, Oct. 14, the City of Milwaukee Health Department’s Northwest Health Center Drive-Thru Clinic (7630 W Mill Rd) will be administering the measles (MMR) vaccination, in addition to COVID-19 (for eligible individuals) and flu vaccinations.

The clinic will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.