Wisconsin has four confirmed cases of measles .
The state Health Department says we could see more cases before this outbreak ends.
"We are concerned. We're closely monitoring the situation and working with other health officers and local health departments across the state because they're certainly on the front lines."
Spokesperson Stephanie Marquis ( pronounce ) reminds us that measles are contagious. In fact, three of the cases involve babies at the same day care center in a Milwaukee suburb.
"It's airborne. So coughing or sneezing is what spreads the virus. And it can spread fairly easily and rapidly and infect people if they haven't had the measles before or if they haven't been vaccinated."
The babies, however, are too young to have been fully vaccinated. Marquis says the two doses of the MMR vaccine typically provide lifelong immunity; also if you've already had the measles, you should be immune for life. The Health Department will track where cases originated, alert others who might be infected, and work with other health experts.
"…trying to control this as much as we can, but based upon the nature we may see some more cases before it's done and we just don't know what those totals will be."
Those infected with measles will experience cold-like symptoms and a red blotchy rash. But Marquis says the only way to be certain one has the measles, is to get a blood test. Marquis suggests you call before going to the doctor so they could take precautions to make sure people in the waiting rooms don't contract your illness. Measles are rare in Wisconsin, with no cases reported in the last couple of years.
NOTE: MMR is the Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine. The first does is given to babies between 12-15 months, and the second dose between 4-6 years.