UW-Madison measles case confirmed
MADISON (WKOW) — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) have confirmed a case of measles in Dane County.
The infected person has been identified as a UW-Madison student who contracted measles during international travel and is not linked to the recent Waukesha County case.
Health officials are actively identifying and notifying those who may have been exposed, including collaborating with UW-Madison about potential exposure locations on campus.
UW-Madison said the infected student lives in an off-campus apartment in Madison. That person is recovering after receiving medical care. The possibility remains that others on campus may have been exposed to the virus.
There is not a list of specific people exposed, so direct outreach is not possible, officials said.
People who were at the following locations may have been exposed to measles:
Brogden Psychology Building, 1202 W. Johnson St., Madison
- Monday, January 26 from noon to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 27 from noon to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 28 from noon to 6 p.m.
Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Ave., Madison
- Monday, January 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Genetics Building-Biotechnology Center Building, 425 Henry Mall, Madison
- Tuesday, January 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Union South, 1308 W. Dayton St., Madison
- Monday, January 26, from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 27, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Qdoba Restaurant, 2 N. Park Street, Madison
- Sunday, January 25 between 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Measles is extremely contagious, spreading through the air and lingering for up to two hours after a person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms appear 10 to 21 days post-exposure and include a runny nose, high fever, tiredness, cough, conjunctivitis, and a red rash.
Those with symptoms should avoid public places and contact their doctor before visiting.
In a press conference held by Kate Louther, the Deputy Director of Public Health Madison Dane County, she spoke about precautions people can take concerning the confirmed measles case tied to a UW student on Monday.
“It’s not too late to get vaccinated. So if you are a community member and you are not vaccinated yet, or you don’t know your status, you can always look at the Wisconsin immunization registry and you can check your immune immunization status there,” said Louther.
She was joined by Jake Baggot, Executive Director with University Health Services.
“We estimate, based on our own data, that about 95% of our campus is vaccinated against measles, which is a good place to be. And we also know that for those who are vaccinated, that two doses of the of the vaccine are 97% effective at preventing the disease,” said Baggot.
Most people born before 1957 are considered immune. Others should verify their vaccination through the Wisconsin Immunization Registry or their health care provider. Vaccinations are available at local clinics and pharmacies.
For further information, visit the DHS measles webpage. UW-Madison students can contact UW Health Services at 608-265-5600. Updates on public exposure locations will be posted on the DHS Outbreaks and Investigations webpage.
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