A Case of the Measles in Greendale

A Greendale boy has been confirmed to have the measles and has been isolated to his home.

The said that he had been exposed to another person with measles and is too young to be vaccinated. The child is cared for at home and does not attend school or child care, according to a press release from the. There are no other children that live with the exposed child.

“The health department has identified contacts to the child and is following them to assure they are vaccinated or receive proper health care,” said the press release. “Measles is an extremely serious and highly contagious viral disease that is easily spread through airborne droplets person to person.”

The last confirmed case of the measles in Greendale was in 2008.

The health department urges that all “Milwaukee-area health-care professionals maintain a high index of suspicion for the appearance of additional measles cases in the coming weeks and report all suspect cases to local public health authorities.”

Measles vaccine is highly effective in preventing the disease.  Village residents who are not vaccinated or unable to obtain measles vaccine can receive vaccinations at the health department on Tuesday, September 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. People can also contact their private provider.

Symptoms of measles include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Rash starting from the head to the rest of the body

The Greendale Health Department has taken steps to respond to this case including:

• Enhancing surveillance for measles in Milwaukee County and the surrounding region
• Issuance of isolation and quarantine orders to symptomatic and exposed
• Providing vaccinations to people who need measles vaccine

Additional information will be posted on the Greendale Health Department website at www.greendale.org  or the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/measles.