The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports a large increase in confirmed measles cases in Iowa and Lafayette counties — up from two, to 15 confirmed and six probables as of Thursday morning.
Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer in the Bureau of Communicable Diseases, says the rapid emergence of cases among people who have not traveled outside Wisconsin indicates active local transmission, with additional cases likely still undetected or unreported. DHS is working with county public health agencies to identify and interview people who may have been exposed, to try to limit the spread of this outbreak.
Westerggard stressed that vaccinations remain the best way to prevent the spread of measles and other vaccine preventable illnesses. For measles, a high threshold of 93% to 95% vaccination rates is needed to achieve herd immunity.
Comments