Waukesha County resident tests positive for measles

A Waukesha County resident has tested positive for measles, making it the first case in Wisconsin this year. State health officials say it’s related to international travel, and they’re working to identify others who may have been exposed. 

A press release from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said no additional personal or health information about the Waukesha County resident would be released.

“DHS and Waukesha County Health and Human Services are working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed to the measles virus,” said the release. “At this time, no public exposure locations have been identified.”

The agency encouraged residents to check their measles, mumps, rubella, or MMR, vaccine status “to make sure they’re protected from measles.”

“People planning winter vacations should look at measles activity in the location they plan to travel, and be sure everyone they are traveling with is up to date on needed vaccines,” the DHS release said.

Measles is highly contagious, and the virus can remain suspended in the air “for two hours after a sick person coughs or sneezes,” said the DHS. Symptoms include runny nose, high fever, cough, tiredness and a red rash with raised bumps starting at the hairline and moving to the arms and legs.

The DHS encouraged residents who develop symptoms to stay home and call their doctor or clinic before visiting so precautions can be taken to keep other patients from being exposed. 

There were 36 confirmed measles cases and two related hospitalizations in 2025, according to the DHS. An estimate from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the 2023-2024 school year suggested Wisconsin’s MMR vaccination rate for kindergartners was the second lowest in the nation.