Wisconsin At Risk For Measles Outbreak
19 February 2019 News
A Pediatrician with ThedaCare is urging people to get their children vaccinated against the measles. Dr. Sharon Rink says it’s getting closer to Wisconsin with four cases in Illinois. She notes if the vaccination rate is below 95 percent in an area there is a risk for developing an outbreak of the measles. “In the state of Wisconsin the current rate is about 85 percent so that means that one or two kids in every classroom is not protected against the measles and if there is one case of measles in an area that is considered an outbreak because it is so contagious.” Measles start with a fever, runny nose, red eyes and a sore throat. Then there is the tell tale rash. Complications can include pneumonia and ear infections. Dr. Rink says a more severe effect of the measles is encephalitis, which 7 to 10 years later could lead to an auto-immune reaction in the brain that could be fatal.
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