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This message is being sent to the following lists: Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications and Updates and Division of Quality Assurance: Assisted Living Forum.
Confirmed measles case in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) received report of a confirmed case of measles in a resident of southeast Wisconsin. DHS is actively coordinating with the City of Milwaukee Health Department and Waukesha County Health and Human Services to identify those who may have been exposed.
Given the nature of exposures, and potential for additional cases, we ask that infection preventionists, especially those in the southeastern region, please share this information within their health care networks.
Please reinforce the importance of timely reporting to local public health and appropriate testing. We anticipate exposed, susceptible individuals to become symptomatic and seek medical care between 10/10 and 10/27.
Reporting suspect measles cases
Measles is a Category I Reportable Disease (DHS 145.04).
Laboratory testing for suspect patient
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PCR Testing: Obtain a throat swab AND a nasopharyngeal swab, combined in the same vial of virus transport medium as soon as measles is suspected (preferably within the first three days of illness but no later than 10 days after rash onset).
- Acute IgM and IgG Serology: Obtain a serum sample as soon after onset as possible.
The specimens should be sent to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) for testing. Fee-exempt testing at WSLH for individuals suspected of having measles is available. Please contact the Immunization Program for approval of fee-exempt testing at 608-267-9959 or after hours at 608-258-0099.
More details about specimen collection, transport, and testing can be found at the WSLH site.
Immune status testing
For asymptomatic patients (non-exposed) needing immunity testing, only the IgG serology tests should be ordered through your commercial laboratory.
Wisconsin residents can check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) for their MMR vaccine record. Instructions for using WIR can be found on the DHS WIR webpage.
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