Public health officials in Madison, Wisconsin, are investigating a new case of measles exposure at the Holiday Inn Express located at 5150 High Crossing Blvd., the Public Health Madison & Dane County announced Wednesday.
The exposure stems from an out-of-state traveler who tested positive for measles after staying overnight at the hotel on February 6th. Individuals who visited the hotel between 12:01 a.m. And noon on that date may have been exposed, according to the health department.
This new case is unrelated to a previously confirmed measles case in a UW-Madison student reported earlier this month, officials clarified. It marks the fourth confirmed case of measles in Wisconsin in recent weeks, following cases in Waukesha County and a traveler passing through Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport on the way to Walworth County. The Madison and Waukesha County cases both involved individuals who contracted the disease during international travel, while the airport traveler had recently been in Phoenix.
So far this year, more than 910 cases of measles have been reported across the United States, a significant increase after the country had been considered free of endemic measles for a quarter of a century, according to health officials.
Public Health Madison & Dane County is directly contacting individuals known to have been in contact with the traveler, but acknowledges it does not have a complete list of potential exposures. Symptoms of measles typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure, meaning those exposed on February 6th could begin to experience symptoms between February 13th and February 27th.
Health officials emphasize that individuals who are vaccinated against measles are unlikely to contract the disease, but should still monitor for symptoms. Those who are unvaccinated or lack laboratory evidence of prior measles infection – generally defined as anyone born in 1957 or later – are advised to quarantine for a period of February 13th through February 27th if they believe they may have been exposed.
Anyone who develops measles symptoms is urged to stay home and avoid contact with others, and to contact their doctor’s office or clinic before visiting to allow for precautionary measures. Public Health Madison & Dane County can be reached at health@publichealthmdc.com or (608) 266-4821 with questions regarding potential exposure.
The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles. Public Health offers free vaccinations to uninsured adults and children, as well as children covered by Medical Assistance.
