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Measles tally reaches 258 in Wisconsin, with southwest counties hardest hit
Wisconsin health officials reported 258 measles cases as of Tuesday, most concentrated in four southwest counties. State officials say northern Wisconsin’s cases are linked to out-of-state travel and are separate from the southwest outbreak.
DODGEVILLE, Wis. — Wisconsin had 258 reported measles cases as of Tuesday, according to the Iowa County Health Department, as infections remained concentrated in the state’s southwest.
Grant, Iowa, Lafayette and Vernon counties together reported 234 confirmed cases and six probable cases. Lafayette County had 100 confirmed or probable cases, Iowa County 74 confirmed cases, Grant County 56 confirmed cases and Vernon County 10 confirmed cases.
In northern Wisconsin, Marathon County had five confirmed cases and Chippewa County had 11. State health officials said those infections are linked to out-of-state travel and are not connected to the southwest cases.
Measles symptoms can include a runny nose, cough, tiredness, red and watery eyes, and a high fever that may exceed 104 degrees. A red, raised rash typically appears three to five days after symptoms begin, starting near the hairline and spreading to the arms and legs.
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent measles, health officials say. The spread across multiple counties makes vaccination and awareness of symptoms important for communities working to limit further transmission.