CHIPPEWA COUNTY, Wis. — Wisconsin health officials have confirmed a measles case in Chippewa County, bringing the number of counties with reported cases this year to six. The Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services announced the case Tuesday, Sept. 22. Doctors do not believe the infection resulted in any public exposure connected to the case. State health officials have reported 171 measles cases in Wisconsin so far this year. All but one of the patients were unvaccinated, and five people have been hospitalized. Most of the cases are connected to an outbreak spanning Grant, Iowa, Lafayette and Vernon counties in southwestern Wisconsin. The Chippewa County case adds a sixth county to the list of counties reporting infections. Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air. The illness can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain damage and deafness, and can be fatal in some cases. Residents can consult the Wisconsin DHS measles dashboard for updates and additional information about the outbreak and vaccination resources.