Measles case reported in Marathon County, a new location for Wisconsin
A new case of measles has been identified in Marathon County, Wisconsin, marking a new location for the virus in the state. Health officials confirmed the case is unrelated to the ongoing outbreak in southwest Wisconsin and noted the individual was exposed during out-of-state travel.
Why it matters
The report highlights the ongoing challenge of measles circulation in the U.S. and the importance of vaccination, as most Wisconsin cases this year involved unvaccinated individuals.
A case of measles has been reported in Marathon County, state health officials announced Sept. 15.
The case is not linked to an outbreak in southwest Wisconsin that has produced more than 160 cases. The person who became infected was exposed to the disease during out-of-state travel, according to a news release from the state health department.
There are currently no places where the public may have been exposed to the disease unknowingly, state health officials said. Beyond that, they would give no details about the new case.
Wisconsin’s measles cases are at levels not seen since 1990 as the virus continues to circulate around the U.S. Close to 3,300 people have become infected nationwide, and in Pennsylvania, where more than 600 people are sick, the state health department is reporting four deaths linked to the disease.
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