JANESVILLE With the rising number of measles cases in Wisconsin and recent federal changes to immunization schedules, Rock County officials say their level of concern is low but they are still monitoring the situation.
The current measles case count has risen up to 100 since the beginning of August with most of the confirmed cases in Lafayette, Iowa and Grant counties, according to the latest data from Wisconsins Department of Health. The data reports that all but one of the confirmed cases has been in unvaccinated people.
Bethlehem Solomon, a Public Health Supervisor in the Communicable Disease Unit with the county, said there are still no confirmed measles cases and no known exposures in the county.
Still, she said the county is monitoring developments and encouraging residents to make sure they and their children are up to date on vaccinations, particularly as students return to school.
Iowa, Grant and Lafayette counties currently have active measles cases, while Dane County had cases earlier in the year. Rock County Public Health is receiving regular updates from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and communicating with neighboring counties as appropriate, Solomon said.
On August 11, The Associated Press reported that President Donald Trump signed an executive order to separate the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three different, single-disease shots and to administer all childhood immunizations at separate appointments whenever possible.
While federal recommendations surrounding childhood vaccines have changed, Solomon said Rock County is continuing to follow guidance from the state and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
There is no scientific evidence and no significant scientific discoveries or anything like that to change the existing recommendations, Solomon said.
That includes continuing to follow existing recommendations for the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine rather than changing the schedule or separating combination vaccines, she said.
Public Health is also encouraging parents who are unsure whether they or their children are vaccinated should check their records through their healthcare provider or the Wisconsin Immunization Registry.
Solomon said anyone uninsured or underinsured can also book their vaccinations through the county website: .
If a confirmed case occurs, Solomon said the health department works with the individual to determine their vaccination status and provide information about isolation and health care. Officials conduct contact investigation following a confirmed infection to determine who may have been exposed.
Public health officials also would determine whether the infected person had visited locations where others could have been exposed. If there were a public exposure, the county could issue a public notice.
Solomon said measles is highly contagious, and vaccinations have historically played a large role in preventing spread of the virus. Measles had been nearly eradicated in the developed world until 2019.
While the county is watching measles activity, it also continues to monitor regular illnesses in local schools.
As part of that, the county has operated a school illness-monitoring program for several years, with additional school districts joining over time, such as the Milton School District, which joined last year.
Rather than asking schools or parents to identify a specific illness, the program tracks illness symptoms tied to student absences.
Solomon said the county can then use that information to help identify trends and recommend prevention measures, such as increased hand washing or cleaning of desks and tables.
She said that schools can often provide an early indication of what is happening more broadly in the community.
Schools are usually one of the places where you will see those initial peaks of disease, Solomon said. Whatever is happening in the schools is a pretty good reflection of whats happening in the community.
Solomon said the county is continuing to share information about measles with health care providers, infection preventionists, schools and residents, including information about symptoms, testing and potential exposure timelines.
While Rock County has not seen a confirmed case, she said the county will continue monitoring the situation and encouraging residents to get vaccinated as their best chance.
The large majority of cases are not vaccinated, she said. So draw the conclusions that you may.