First measles death in 30+ years reported in this state

MADISON, Wis. (WBAY/Gray News) — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports the death of an infant associated with the ongoing measles outbreak in the southwestern part of the state.

It is the first measles death in the state since 1990, according to a DHS news release.

The coroner listed the immediate cause of death as measles, the release said. To protect the privacy of the family and the child, DHS is not releasing any more information about the case or the young patient.

State health secretary comments

“Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease,” said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson. “Measles can cause serious illness and death, and it is important for all Wisconsinites to evaluate their risk and take steps to protect themselves and their family.”

Statewide case count

As of Nov. 3, DHS has reported 431 measles cases in 13 counties so far in 2026, according to the release. The DHS numbers are from Nov. 3, before five cases were confirmed in Green Lake County. The number reflects the highest number of cases seen in the state in more than 35 years.

Nine people have required hospitalization for severe symptoms across those cases, DHS said.

The release said reported case counts may not reflect the full extent of measles spread. Not everyone who becomes ill seeks medical care or gets tested, which means cases may go unreported.

“A disease that can spread that quickly can go from a small problem to a big problem very quickly, and the best way across the whole world that we’ve been able to stop illness and death from measles is to stop it from spreading in the community completely,” says Dr. Ryan Westergaard, the chief medical officer with the Wisconsin DHS.

The state’s total was 335 on Oct. 27, which means it added nearly 100 patients in about one week. A majority of the cases are from what is being referred to as the “Southwest Wisconsin measles outbreak” in Grant, Lafayette, Iowa, and Vernon counties. DHS said the cases are related to out-of-state travel, but the exact source of those infections is unknown.

All but three of the patients were not vaccinated.

Green Lake County cases

Green Lake County has confirmed at least five measles cases, according to a news release from the Green Lake County Department of Health & Human Services. They are the first cases confirmed in Northeast Wisconsin.

The cases are linked to a laboratory-confirmed case in another county, the release said. The Green Lake County Department of Health & Human Services did not name which county the infection spread from.

Green Lake County is adjacent to Marquette County, which has two confirmed measles cases.

All confirmed and suspected cases identified so far in Green Lake County have been among people who were not vaccinated against measles. Known exposures have been limited to private gatherings, and no public exposure locations have been identified at this time.

The state is now recommending an early dose of the MMR vaccine for infants between 6 and 11 months old who face a higher risk of exposure. The usual first dose is given after a child’s 1st birthday.

“Ordinarily, we don’t begin MMR vaccination until a child’s first birthday. But in an outbreak, when we know that an infant may be exposed to measles, there’s a benefit to providing that protection earlier,” said Dr. Westergaard.

Measles symptoms

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that can spread from person to person through the air. The virus can stay in the air for two hours after a sick person coughs or sneezes. It can cause serious health complications, including pneumonia, brain damage and deafness, and can sometimes be deadly.

Symptoms typically appear approximately 10 to 12 days after exposure, but in some cases can range from seven to 21 days. Symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• High fever, which may be greater than 104 degrees
• Tiredness
• Cough
• Red, watery eyes or conjunctivitis (“pink eye”)
• Red rash with raised bumps that starts at the hairline and moves to the arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin

People who develop symptoms should stay home and not go to work, school or shopping or use public transportation. They should call their doctor’s office or clinic before visiting so staff can take precautions to prevent other patients from being exposed.

Vaccination status

People who are unsure whether they are vaccinated against measles can contact their health provider or check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry at dhfswir.org, according to the Green Lake County release.