EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – Eau Claire County Health Department officials say they are preparing as measles continues its resurgence in the United States, marking a second consecutive year with a record number of cases.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 41 cases have been reported in Wisconsin.
Cases concentrated in southwest Wisconsin
The cases are mainly confined to the southwest region of the state. Eau Claire County Health Department officials say they are preparing.
Health Department Director Lieske Giese said they are talking with health care providers, daycares, and schools to raise awareness and discuss how to properly test for measles.
Measles has largely been reported in Iowa and Lafayette counties. Of those impacted, 51.2% were between 5 and 17 years old, and 39% were 18 years and older.
Elimination status and national trend
The disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. The CDC reports more cases have been recorded in the past 18 months than in the previous 25 years combined.
Giese said measles can be prevented but is contagious in unvaccinated populations.
“We really can start that work where we are making sure that, as best as possible, we don’t continue the spread,” Giese said. “So, we have a great communicable disease team, and that group of people is working really nonstop to make sure we have good relationships and information out there for the public and for all of our health care providers.”
In Wisconsin, more than 20,000 people are not vaccinated.
Measles symptoms
Symptoms of measles start showing 10 to 21 days after infection. The first symptoms of measles may include:
Runny noseHigh fever, which may be greater than 104 FTirednessCoughRed, watery eyes, or conjunctivitis, known as pink eyeA red rash with raised bumps that starts at the hairline and moves to the arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin
These early symptoms are followed by a rash that spreads over the body, which tends to appear three to five days after the first symptoms.
What to do if you have symptoms
People who have measles are asked to stay home to avoid spreading it to others.
Anyone concerned about symptoms is asked to call their doctor. Medical care can help relieve symptoms and address complications, such as bacterial infections. A doctor can advise when it is safe to be around others again.
For more information, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.
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