 This message is being sent to Tribal health directors, local health officers, local health department staff, local health department nurses, Vaccines for Children providers, Vaccines for Adults providers, Wisconsin vaccinators, and key DHS staff.
March 2025
Wisconsin Vaccine Preventable Disease Updates provides statewide data on select vaccine preventable diseases from the previous month.
Measles
As of March 5, 2025 Wisconsin has not had any cases of measles in 2025. However, the CDC webpage indicates that as of February 27, 2025, there are 164 cases of measles occurring in nine jurisdictions, with Texas alone reporting 159 cases. The CDC is updating their measles outbreak webpage weekly on Fridays.
The majority of cases (82%) are under 19 years of age, 95% are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status, and 20% of cases have been hospitalized, with one death reported.
Low rates of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination in Wisconsin’s children continues to be a significant concern. Do not miss any opportunity to evaluate if children are up-to-date and provide vaccination if medically eligible.
Moreover, providers are strongly encouraged to assess their pediatric patient populations using reports in the electronic medical record (EMR) or the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) to determine who is not up-to-date and conduct outreach to schedule appointments for vaccination.
MMR Resources
Measles Questions and Answers
MMR Vaccine Does Not Cause Autism- Examine the Evidence
Pertussis
As of February 28, 2025, Wisconsin has 182 confirmed cases statewide in 2025. Since January 1, 2025, 48 counties have had at least one case. While cases range in age from 4 months to 78 years, one-third (34%) of the cases are in adolescents aged 11–18 years. Nine infants have been identified with pertussis, and one has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The most recent pertussis case count data can be found on the pertussis dashboard where users can explore trends and view data at the state, region, and county levels. Please note the data are preliminary and subject to change.
Pertussis resources
The Communicable Disease Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol: Pertussis has been updated. It contains up-to-date information on laboratory testing, clinical presentation, and treatment for Pertussis.
The educational flier Seasonal Influenza (Flu): Is it the Flu, a Cold, or Whooping Cough? | Wisconsin Department of Health Services is a valuable source during respiratory season.
Varicella
As of February 28, 2025, Wisconsin has 30 confirmed and probable cases statewide in 2025. Since January 1, 2025, 12 counties have had at least one case. About 53% of the cases had a positive laboratory test. While cases range in age from 4 months to 59 years, the median age of the cases is 11 years. Two individuals have been hospitalized. The majority of cases continue to occur among unvaccinated individuals with about 67% of cases having either no doses or no known doses. No deaths have been reported.
Varicella resources
DHS varicella webpage
CDC varicella webpage
CDC Laboratory testing information
Mumps
As of February 28, 2025, Wisconsin has three confirmed cases in 2025. Cases have occurred in two counties in the western part of the state and range in age from 17 to 65 years. One individual has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Mumps resources
DHS mumps webpage
CDC mumps webpage
DHS mumps fact sheet in English, Spanish, and Hmong
Wisconsin Adult Viral Hepatitis 2023 Surveillance Reports
The Viral Hepatitis programs at Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) have recently published the following surveillance reports:
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Annual Surveillance Report, 2023
Statewide Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B (HBV) Annual Surveillance Report, 2023
Wisconsin Department of Corrections Syndemics Report, 2023
Milwaukee County Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Annual Surveillance Report, 2023
Wisconsin vaccination rate data
The immunization program has vaccination rate dashboards for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. These dashboards display vaccination data by location, age group, and demographics. The influenza dashboard also highlights how the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) aligns with influenza vaccination coverage.
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