Low Vaccination Rates Driving Wisconsin's Measles Outbreak

Wednesday, November 11th, 2026 -- 12:01 PM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) Low vaccination rates are driving Wisconsin’s measles outbreak.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, it’s the state’s largest outbreak in more than 35 years. And, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, transmission has been concentrated in close-knit southwestern Wisconsin communities and social networks where vaccination coverage is low, primarily within some Amish and Mennonite communities.

Reported case counts likely understate how far measles has spread, because not everyone who gets sick seeks care or is tested. Nearly all cases have occurred in people who were unvaccinated.

As of Friday, the DHS website showed 477 reported cases, of which 474 were in unvaccinated individuals. There have been nine hospitalizations, and last week’s reported death of an infant was the state’s first measles death since 1990.

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