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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                 

Date: August 1, 2025  

Contact: Caroline Reinwald   

Office: (414) 286-3780                                                                                      

Cell: (414) 308-5556                                                                                                                                 

Email: [email protected]

 

Milwaukee Ramps Up Prevention and Preparedness Efforts as Measles Threat Grows Nationwide

MILWAUKEE — As measles cases continue to rise across the United States, the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) is inviting news media to attend a press conference highlighting the importance of proactive measles prevention and urging residents to take steps to protect themselves and others.

Press Conference Details

Date: Monday, August 4, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Location: Zeidler Municipal Building, 3rd floor offices

Scheduled Speakers:

  • Mayor Cavalier Johnson
  • Commissioner of Health Mike Totoraitis, PhD
  • Mike Gutzeit, MD, President of Primary Care, Children’s Wisconsin

Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. It spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and by touching contaminated surfaces.

According to the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR), 75% of 6-year-olds in Milwaukee have received both recommended doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Among 18-year-olds in Milwaukee, that number increases to 88%.

Statewide, Wisconsin ranks among the three lowest states in the country for kindergarten measles vaccination rates, with 84.8% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated, according to CDC data. These rates fall well below the 93–95% coverage needed for herd immunity.

One dose of the MMR vaccine provides 93% protection against measles; two doses provide 97% protection.

Despite low vaccination rates, Wisconsin remains the only state in the Upper Midwest with zero reported measles cases so far in 2025, according to CDC data. All surrounding states, including Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan, have reported cases.

Residents are encouraged to check their MMR vaccine status through the Wisconsin Immunization Registry and get vaccinated if needed. MHD offers free measles vaccinations at its health centers regardless of health insurance status.

What to Know About Measles

Transmission:

  • Close contact with an infected person
  • Touching contaminated surfaces (doorknobs, handrails, etc.)
  • Respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing
  • Virus can linger in the air up to 2 hours and spread through shared HVAC systems

Symptoms (typically appear 7–14 days after exposure):

  • High fever (often >104°F)
  • Runny nose
  • Cough
  • Red, watery eyes
  • Rash beginning at the hairline and spreading downward 3–5 days after initial symptoms

Health Risks:

  • Dangerous for young children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems
  • ~1 in 5 unvaccinated people with measles require hospitalization
  • Exposed individuals may need to quarantine for up to 3 weeks

What to Do

  • Check your vaccination status. Visit WIR to confirm your MMR records
  • Get vaccinated if you're unprotected. The MMR vaccine is available at MHD health clinics, doctor’s offices, and local pharmacies. MHD provides free MMR vaccines regardless of insurance
    • Clinics and pharmacies recommend calling ahead to make sure vaccine is available

“As a father and as mayor, I take this threat seriously,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “We’ve seen how quickly diseases can spread when vaccination rates fall behind. I’m proud that Milwaukee is stepping up early with clear messaging and free access to protection.”

“We are urging every Milwaukee resident to take measles seriously, and that starts with getting vaccinated. The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and the reason we’ve kept diseases like measles at bay for decades,” said Milwaukee Commissioner of Health, Mike Totoraitis, PhD. “Public health is a responsibility we all share. Choosing vaccination protects not just yourself, but the entire community.”

“The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and essential for protecting kids and our community,” said Dr. Mike Gutzeit, President of Pediatrics at Children’s Wisconsin. “Serious side effects are rare, and most kids experience nothing more than a sore arm or mild fever. The risk from measles itself is far greater. When families choose not to vaccinate, they’re not just putting their own children at risk, but also newborns and people with weakened immune systems. Measles was nearly eliminated in the U.S., but now we’re seeing hundreds of cases and hospitalizations again. We can’t afford to go backward.”

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