A disease thought to be eliminated in 2000 is back in the state of Wisconsin, and public health officials want you to take the necessary steps to protect yourself.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced a confirmed case of measles in Dane County/Rock County last week, explicitly listing locations in Milton, Janesville, Madison, and Cottage Grove where people may have been exposed. Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be spread from person to person via air droplets, and its symptoms can take up to three weeks to manifest. The Centers for Disease Control declared measles eliminated at the turn of the century because of the absence of continuous disease transmission for over 12 months. The CDC credits vaccinations for keeping the disease at bay, kindergarten vaccine coverage has declined nationwide since the 2020-2021 school year due to the pandemic and vaccine hesistancy. Door County Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jim Heise believes Door County is well positioned if measles becomes more widespread but fears that there is vaccine fatigue.

Heise recommends you get vaccinated against measles and similar diseases that have been all but eradicated if it is right for you and your family. Symptoms of measles include a rash, cough, runny nose, fever, and sore throat. Since measles is a virus, there is no specific medical treatment for it, but you are encouraged to stay at home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids if you contract it.