Wisconsin health officials announce measles case in Waukesha County
Milwaukee Health Commissioner Totoraitis on measles seriousness
Milwaukee Health Commissioner Mike Totoraitis speaks about the seriousness of measles and potential complications, and measles vaccination rates in the state.
A person in Waukesha County has contracted measles, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced Monday, Jan. 26.
It’s the state’s first case in 2026, amid a ballooning nationwide outbreak that could end up costing the U.S. the measles-free designation it has held since 2000.
The Waukesha County measles case is related to international travel, according to a news release from the state health department. The agency declined to share other information, such as the person’s gender, age or measles vaccination status.
There are not yet any locations identified where measles was exposed to the broader public, according to the release. Waukesha County’s Department of Health and Human Services and the state health department are working to notify people who may have been exposed.
Last year, the state recorded 36 cases of measles from an outbreak in northeast Wisconsin’s Oconto County.
As of Jan. 23, there have been 416 confirmed cases of measles across the U.S. in 2026, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as outbreaks in South Carolina and on the Arizona-Utah border continue to grow. In 2025, a total of 2,255 measles cases were confirmed, the country’s worst year for measles since 1991. The virus caused three deaths – two Texas children and one adult in New Mexico – all of whom had not received the vaccine.
Health experts say the declining rate of Americans who receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine contributes overwhelmingly to the spread of measles. Wisconsin is no exception: About 81% of 2-year-olds across the state received the vaccine in 2024, far below the 95% threshold that experts say provides community immunity. Wisconsin also has among the nation’s lowest measles vaccination rates for kindergartners.
In Waukesha County, about 85% of 2-year-olds were vaccinated for measles in 2024, according to data from the state health department. That’s down from about 90% in 2019.
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is 97% effective at preventing infection. The health department recommends people check their vaccination status using the Wisconsin Immunization Registry.
This story has been updated to include new information.
Madeline Heim covers health and the environment for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at 920-996-7266 or [email protected].
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