Milwaukee health officials continue to investigate measles case; encourage vaccination

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- It's been three days since the Milwaukee Health Department announced that someone had tested positive for measles.

Measles can be very contagious and right now vaccination rates are on the decline. Officials with the health department say the person who contracted measles is doing better and is no longer in their infectious period. The goal now is to contain any potential spread.

"We are still looking into the origins of where the individual contracted measles," said Mike Totoraitis, Commissioner of Health.

On Tuesday, the City of Milwaukee Health Department announced a positive case of measles. The person lives in Milwaukee and works in Waukesha. The investigation continues.

Officials say they are tracking all the locations where possible spread could have occurred and are working through nearly 600 contacts.

"Based on where the individual case was, there were folks that lived in different parts of the county that now we are relying on our partners in public health to help us with that contact investigation," said Totoraitis.

Symptoms can mirror a cold, along with a skin rash and typically show up with a week or two of infection.

There is a free drive-through vaccine clinic set for Saturday, Oct. 14 for anyone who was exposed to measles at one of four specified locations.

It's happening at the Northwest Health Center located at 7630 West Mill Road from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The COVID-19 vaccine will also be available for those eligible and free flu vaccines.

Right now, there are no more confirmed cases of measles, but officials say they are monitoring a few suspected cases of people who have shown some symptoms.

Officials say community spread is not a concern at this time.