Southwestern Wisconsin is experiencing an outbreak of measles with rising numbers of cases in Grant, Iowa and Lafayette counties.

UW-Platteville’s top priority is the safety of our students, faculty and staff. No cases have been reported on campus so far, but the university is actively monitoring the situation and remains in contact with public health partners.

High-density campus environments present unique vulnerabilities for rapid airborne transmission of measles, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). The agency this week issued recommendations that college campuses actively verify student measles immunization status.

Universities of Wisconsin Regent Policy 23-2 delegates the responsibility for maintaining campus health safety to system chancellors. As part of that responsibility and in keeping with state health officials’ recommendations, UW-Platteville is working in conjunction with internet-platform provider MedProctor to create an online system for gathering student immunization status. Beginning early next week, students will be asked to voluntarily enter their status in the system as a preventative measure.

Participation is voluntary. The system is a tool to help keep the campus community safe and information collected will be treated as confidential health data.

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that can spread through the air and person-to-person contact. The disease can cause serious health problems, including pneumonia, brain damage and deafness, according to DHS.

Symptoms include a runny nose; a high fever; fatigue; cough; red, watery eyes or conjunctivitis (pink eye); and a red rash with raised bumps that begins at the hairline and moves to the arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin.

The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated with two doses of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine, according to DHS. Two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles. One dose is about 93% effective. People born before 1957 are generally considered immune.

We appreciate the care, cooperation and vigilance of our students, faculty and staff as we work together to maintain a healthy campus environment. UW-Platteville has successfully navigated public health challenges before, and we are confident in our ability to effectively respond.