DARLINGTON — The number of active cases in the latest measles outbreak continues to rise. Wisconsin now has had 144 confirmed cases in 2026, with 142 active — all of which in Lafayette, Iowa and Grant counties. Of the 144 total confirmed cases, 143 are unvaccinated people. Four cases have now resulted in hospitalization.
The rate of active cases by age has changed little, with 61.1% children between 0-17 years old. Of that, 47.9% (39 total) are children between 5-17 years, while 13.2% (19 cases) are children between 0-4 years of age.
Lafayette County now leads the state with 65 active, confirmed cases. Iowa County has 61 cases, and Grant County has 15 cases. Dane County and Waukesha County had one case each back in January 2026.
Measles symptoms start showing between 10-21 days after getting infected. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases. The virus easily spreads from person to person. It can spread through coughing and sneezing. People who are infected can spread measles to others four days before, and up to four days after, the rash appears. The measles virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after a sick person coughs or sneezes.
You can get measles by breathing contaminated air or touching an infected surface, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. That means you can catch measles nearly anywhere, such as the grocery store, movie theaters, or on a bus or plane. A vaccine is your best protection.
Symptoms of measles start showing 10 to 21 days after getting infected. The first symptoms of measles may include:
● Runny nose
● High fever (may be greater than 104 F)
● Tiredness
● Cough
● Red, watery eyes, or conjunctivitis (“pink eye”)
A red rash with raised bumps that starts at the hairline and moves to the arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin
These early symptoms are followed by a rash that spreads over the body. The rash tends to appear three to five days after the first symptoms.
Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, there are several groups that are more likely to suffer from measles complications:
● Children younger than 5 years of age
● Adults older than 20 years of age
● Pregnant women
● People with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection
Common complications can include ear infections and diarrhea. Severe complications include pneumonia (infection of the lungs), encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death.
There is no specific treatment for measles.
If you have measles, it’s important to stay home so you don’t spread measles to other people.
Call your doctor if you are concerned about your symptoms. Medical care could help relieve symptoms and address complications, such as bacterial infections. Your doctor can tell you when it’s safe to be around other people again.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of measles from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website.
The only way to diagnose measles is through appropriate testing. If you think you have measles, it’s important to see a doctor for a nose and throat swab and a blood test.
Prevention
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
The CDC recommends that children get two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first doses is given between 12–15 months of age. The second dose is given between 4–6 years of age.
Adults born before 1957 probably had measles, and do not need an MMR vaccine, unless they are in one of the groups below (international travelers or health care personnel).
The CDC recommends that adults born during or after 1957 who haven’t had measles should get one dose of MMR vaccine. Adults who are health care personnel, college students, or international travelers who do not have immunity (laboratory confirmation of measles disease or immunity) should get two doses of MMR vaccine.
People who received a dose of measles vaccine from 1963–1967 may have gotten an inactivated measles vaccine that is not effective. People who were vaccinated between 1963–1967 should consult with a health care provider to determine if another dose of MMR vaccine is needed. Adults who are health care personnel, college students, or international travelers who got the inactivated measles vaccine between 1963–1967 should get two doses of MMR vaccine.
The CDC recommends that college students who did not have two doses of MMR vaccine as children, or who do not have immunity (laboratory evidence of immunity or confirmation of measles disease), get two doses of MMR, separated by at least 28 days.