BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) — As the first cases of measles hit Wisconsin earlier this month in Oconto County, neighboring Brown County is continuously monitoring its spread; and is taking proactive measures while also planning ahead on reactive measures, should the disease reach their communities.
The Brown County Public Health Department says measles is easily spread. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected against the disease.
Measles is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
Deputy health officer Dr. Katrina Nordyke says the department has been preparing for a communicable disease outbreak, including measles, for over a year in anticipation of the 2025 NFL Draft coming to Green Bay.
“We did several training exercises; for example ‘if we had one case come in, how would we do our follow up testing, contact tracing, what does our messaging strategy look like, how do we respond if people want vaccinations, how do we work with healthcare providers, how do we work with schools?’”
Nordyke says as a result of these efforts, they’re well prepared to effectively respond to measles cases; and have made connections with various community partners in terms of where a vaccination clinic could be held, how staff would be utilized, and how vaccines would be stored. Brown County Public Health can, and will, carry out these responses if needed at any time.
Health officials say the best protection against measles is the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine, which provides about 93% protection after the first dose and about 97% protection after the second dose. Anyone 6 months or older can safely get the MMR vaccine, and most people who do are protected for life.
Measles symptoms include high fever, diarrhea, coughing, runny nose, and eye and ear infections; followed by a rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body. The disease can have serious complications, especially in young children.
“Even our staff has family who suffered from hearing loss prior to the vaccination when they acquired measles, or people who know of others who got pneumonia when they contracted measles,” said Nordyke.
One in five children who contract measles will be hospitalized, and one in 20 will develop pneumonia.
Amid the current outbreaks around the nation, the CDC says one child has died from measles and an adult death is under investigation.
The Brown County Public Health Department has a vaccination clinic coming up on Thursday, August 21 from 3-5:30 p.m. at both east and west side Boys and Girls Clubs in Green Bay. Vaccinations are free for children 18 and under. Click here to register.
Parents and caregivers can check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry or contact their health care provider or local health department to see if they or their child has been vaccinated to protect against measles.
