A University of Wisconsin-Madison student is recovering after seeking medical care for a confirmed case of measles, John Zumbrunnen, interim provost and vice chanceller, and Jake Baggott, executive director of University Health Services said in an email to all students Monday afternoon.
The officials warned that measles is highly contagious. They said those who are not vaccinated for measles are required to be quarantined for 21 days if they were exposed to the student during their infectious period.
The student lives in an apartment off-campus and visited several campus locations during their infectious period from Jan. 25 to Jan. 28, including the Brogden psychology building, the Waisman Center, the genetics building, Union South and Qdoba. All four campus locations are safe to attend at this time.
UHS asks members of the UW-Madison community to check their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine status. Those vaccinated do not need to quarantine but should monitor for symptoms. Immunocompromised individuals should contact their healthcare provider and monitor for symptoms.
This follows the first case of measles in Wisconsin this year after an individual in Waukesha County tested positive last week. This case is related to international travel and not connected to the Waukesha County case, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Symptoms of measles start with a high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. White spots in the mouth and full body rashes may appear afterwards. UHS says to not go to clinics or hospitals without informing a healthcare provider you may have measles.
UHS also encouraged campus community members to check their MMR vaccination status in the Wisconsin Immunization Registry for in-state residents or their state’s immunization website and update their vaccination status in myUHS to avoid a required 21-day quarantine if exposed.
UHS is currently working with Public Health Madison & Dane County and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on this case.
The exposure dates and times are as follows:
Qdoba, 2 N Park Street
- Sunday, January 25 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Brogden Psychology Building, 1202 W. Johnson Street
- Monday, January 26 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue
- Monday, January 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Genetics Building-Biotechnology Center Building, 425 Henry Mall
- Tuesday, January 27 from 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Union South, 1308 W. Dayton Street
- Tuesday, January 27, from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
