The Wisconsin Department of Health reported an infant death from measles on Nov. 5, marking the state’s first such fatality since 1990 amid 431 total cases this year.
This case coincides with cases in Pennsylvania and New York, as measles cases across the country continue to rise.
In Plain English: The Clinical Takeaway
- Measles transmission: Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known to humans.
- MMR efficacy: The measles vaccine is highly effective and can achieve as much as 97% protection.
- Infant vulnerability: Health officials now advise that infants aged six to 11 months receive early measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunizations, since children normally receive their initial dose between 12 and 15 months of age.
Wisconsin Reports Highest Measles Case Totals in 35 Years
The 431 reported cases in Wisconsin since the week of Jan. 18 represent the highest state total in 35 years, according to figures released by the Wisconsin Department of Health (DHS). Transmission increased in the latter half of the year, with 425 of those cases emerging since the week of July 26, The Daily Cardinal reported.
State epidemiological data shows that 428 of the total 431 cases occurred in unvaccinated individuals.
“It is with a heavy heart we are reporting the first death of an infant connected with a measles outbreak in Wisconsin in many years. My heart is broken for the family,” DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson said in a press release. “Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease.”
| Metric | Wisconsin Outbreak Statistics | Historical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cases | 431 cases | Highest in 35 years |
| Unvaccinated Cases | 428 cases | |
| Last Infant Fatality | November 5 | First since 1990 |
University Health Services Monitors Campus Disease Risks
Jake Baggott, executive director of University Health Services (UHS) at UW-Madison, noted that population density in residence halls creates increased risk of contracting communicable diseases like measles, though UHS data estimates that around 95% of students are vaccinated against the virus.
An infant died in Wisconsin tied to the ongoing measles outbreak, making it the first fatality of its kind since 1990. The coroner declared the immediate cause of death as measles. To protect the privacy of the family and the child, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services…
“Because vaccination rates aren’t the same as they were before, we’re starting to see the emergence of measles. We’re not excluded from that. The likelihood of having a measles case in our community is foreseeable,” Baggott told The Daily Cardinal, referencing a confirmed case of measles in a UW-Madison student last spring.
UW-Madison has a vaccination disclosure requirement, mandating students to share their vaccination status with UHS, which allows for effective communication and tracking methods to keep students safe if a measles case is reported. UHS currently supplies the measles immunization at no charge to any student lacking protection against the virus, thereby promoting widespread safety across shared campus environments.
References
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Measles Outbreak Data and News Release.
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Measles Immunization Guidance.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles Vaccination Overview.
More on Wisconsin Department of Health Services
An infant has died in southwestern Wisconsin's measles outbreak, the state's first reported measles death since 1990. Statewide, 431 cases across 13 counties had been confirmed as of Nov. 3. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced the death on Nov. 5, 2026. A… pic.twitter.com/DqUKAZhjYo
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