On Thursday, Nov. 5, the Grant County Health Department released information on the first measles-related death in the state, which involved a resident of the county.
"Grant County Public Health is saddened to confirm the infant death associated with the southwestern Wisconsin measles outbreak, announced earlier today by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, was a Grant County resident," the department stated in a news release. "To protect the privacy of those involved, Grant County Public Health will not release additional health or personal information related to the death.
For 2026, Grant County has had 142 cases of measles, or more than one-quarter of the cases in the state of Wisconsin.
"This tragic outcome underscores that measles is not a harmless childhood illness. Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, hospitalization, and death—particularly among infants, pregnant people, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Grant County Public Health continues to coordinate with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, other Wisconsin county public health departments and partners, health care providers, and other agencies across the county in response to the ongoing outbreak."
"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," said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson. "Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease. Measles can cause serious illness and death, and it is important for all Wisconsinites to evaluate their risk and take steps to protect themselves and their family."
The department stated that prevention is the key to stopping this outbreak, and stated that what residents should do to help:
Check vaccination status
Residents should confirm that they and their children are up to date on measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination. Two doses of MMR vaccine provide strong protection against measles.
You can check vaccination status using the Wisconsin Immunization Registry: Wisconsin Immunization Registry.
As of November 3, DHS has reported 431 measles cases in 13 counties so far in 2026. This reflects the highest number of cases seen in the state in more than 35 years. Across these cases, nine people have required hospitalization for severe symptoms. Reported case counts may not reflect the full extent of measles spread. Not everyone who becomes ill seeks medical care or gets tested, which means cases may go unreported.
Of those 428 of them, involved unvaccinated persons. There have been nine hospitalizations.
If you are not vaccinated, make a plan to get an MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is available at area clinics, local health departments, and some pharmacies.
Call your doctor or local health department if you have questions regarding the MMR vaccine or your vaccination status.
DHS continues to work with local and Tribal health departments and health care partners to coordinate and support statewide response efforts. These efforts include supporting case identification and tracking, information sharing, testing, and vaccination. Since August 1, 2026, DHS has delivered 2,000 doses of MMR vaccine to local health departments in communities with confirmed cases. Over 42,000 doses of MMR vaccine have been administered by health care providers in Wisconsin during this time. Additionally, support has been provided to prevent wider spread in communities and health care.
DHS urges Wisconsinites to be proactive in preventing illness to protect themselves and their communities, The best way to prevent measles is with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses are approximately 97% effective at preventing measles.
Protect yourself, others if exposed to measles
If you have been exposed, watch for symptoms. Symptoms may begin 7 to 21 days after exposure and can include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downward.
Call before seeking medical care. If you develop symptoms or believe you were exposed, call your health care provider, urgent care clinic, or emergency department before arriving.
Calling ahead helps facilities take steps to protect other patients and staff.
Stay home when ill. Anyone with symptoms consistent with measles should avoid work, school, child care, public gatherings, and health care waiting rooms until they have spoken with a medical provider or public health official.
“I am devastated to share the news about this preventable death,” said Kessa Klaas, Director/Health Officer of the Grant County Health Department. “Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect yourself, your family, and vulnerable members of our community.”
“This child was too young to be vaccinated. We need to take this time to work together to protect one another.”
Sixty of the 431 cases were with children under the age of 5, while 187 were children from age 5 to age 17. only 184 cases were in adults.
Measles in Wisconsin has had a second wave which seems to be settling, however that does not mean its gone. After a peak of 50 for the week of Aug. 23, there were only seven cases the week of Sept. 6, only to have 60 cases two weeks later.
For more information about the ongoing outbreak please visit the measles case count dashboard at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/measles.htm
More at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/outbreaks/index.htm
