Spring Break Travel + Low Measles Vaccination Rate Puts Wisconsin at Risk
As measles spreads rapidly in states like Texas, state health officials say vulnerable to an outbreak
Doctor.
State health officials are warning Wisconsinites to protect themselves against measles while traveling this spring.
The highly-contagious disease has spread rapidly in west Texas since late January, with more than 200 people infected. The outbreak has been linked to cases in New Mexico and Oklahoma, and at least 10 other states have seen isolated measles cases so far this year.
Measles is a virus that can cause serious health complications, especially in children under age 5. Symptoms appear one to two weeks after exposure, and include a rash, high fever, runny nose and watery eyes.
Two people have died of the disease in the current outbreaks.
The two-dose measles vaccine is 97 percent effective at preventing infection, which led to the disease being declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. But declining immunization rates has put the country at risk for a resurgence of measles.
Dr. Jasmine Zapata, chief medical officer at the state Department of Health Services’ Bureau of Community Health, said Wisconsin is especially vulnerable to an outbreak because of the state’s low vaccination rates. CDC data shows the state has the second worst vaccination rate in the country among kindergarten-aged children.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Zapata said DHS leaders are meeting regularly with local public health officers to monitor for signs of the disease.
“Everyone is well aware of the risks, especially going into spring break,” Zapata said. “Everyone is doing all that they can to keep close observation and focus on prevention.”
She said the best way for people to protect themselves against measles while traveling is to make sure they’re up to date on vaccination.
Children are recommended to receive one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine around their first birthday and get a second dose between age 4 and 6. Most adults who received the shot as a child or who previously had measles are protected, but Zapata said people should consult a healthcare provider to check their individual situation.
She said basic steps to prevent infections like regular hand washing and wearing a mask when interacting with people from other states for prolonged periods, like during air travel.
DHS using COVID-era strategies to encourage better uptake of measles shot
Measles vaccination rates among young children vary widely from county to county in the state. While many counties in eastern and southern Wisconsin have rates higher than the statewide average of 81.58 percent, DHS data shows only half of 2-year-olds in counties like Vernon and Clark have at least one dose of the vaccine.
“If there are individuals living in areas that have lower vaccination rates, that is the number one reason that they especially, more than others, should make sure that they are up to date on all their vaccinations,” Zapata told reporters Wednesday.
She said DHS is actively working to improve childhood vaccination rates using some tools created out of the COVID-19 pandemic, including Routine Immunizations through Community Engagement, or RICE, grants. The funding supports vaccine access and education efforts by community-based organizations and local and tribal health departments.
“One of the things that we really learned from the COVID-19 pandemic was the power of partnering with trusted messengers to have conversations with various communities around our state,” Zapata said. “When there are trusted messengers, people are more likely to engage in conversation and be open to getting vaccinated if they have not already.”
She said it’s a strategy that DHS is continuing to build on to address the downturn in childhood immunizations and prevent an outbreak like measles from reaching the state.
Ahead of spring break travel, state officials say Wisconsin is at risk for measles outbreak was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
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