Rock County warns residents they may have been exposed to measles

ROCK COUNTY, Wis. (WTVO) — The Rock County Health Department is warning residents that they may have been exposed to measles last week.

According to health officials, a Dane County resident with a confirmed case of measles spent time in Rock County while infectious.

Officials provided a list of locations and times at which residents may have been exposed to the disease:

Kwik Trip
603 W Madison Ave, Milton, WI
Sunday, April 21 between 2:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Janesville
3200 E Racine St., Janesville, WI
Monday, April 22 between 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

SSM Health St. Mary`s Hospital – Janesville
3400 E Racine St., Janesville WI
Tuesday, April 23 between 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Public health staff has been contacting individuals with potential exposures since early Saturday to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Those who believe they may have been exposed at the above locations and times are asked to contact 608-757-5440 or rchealthdept@co.rock.wi.us.

The U.S. previously eliminated measles thanks to widespread vaccination against the disease in 2000 .

New measles cases have been reported to have originated at migrant shelters.

Young children are especially at risk since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends waiting for the first vaccine dose until 12 to 15 months of age.

The World Health Organization says “measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that can lead to severe complications and death,” and is most prevalent in children.

The CDC considers measles one of the most contagious diseases, “So contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.”

Symptoms present as a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Two to three days later, tiny white spots can form on the mouth, followed by a red rash.

A person with measles can spread it from anywhere from four days before the rash appears to four days after, the CDC said.

Routine childhood vaccinations can protect individuals from the virus for life.

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