Lead
Public health authorities confirmed they are investigating a second measles case in Dane County after an out-of-state traveler stayed at a Madison hotel on Feb. 6. The person was at the Holiday Inn Express, 5150 High Crossing Blvd., from 12:01 a.m. to noon that day, and officials have identified an exposure window that may affect guests or staff. Health officials warn that measles is highly contagious, can linger in the air for up to two hours, and can produce symptoms seven to 21 days after exposure. Local agencies are advising quarantine and outreach for unvaccinated or otherwise unprotected individuals who may have been exposed.
Key takeaways
- Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) is investigating the second confirmed Dane County measles case and the fourth statewide in Wisconsin in 2026.
- The suspected exposure occurred Feb. 6 at the Holiday Inn Express, 5150 High Crossing Blvd., between 12:01 a.m. and noon.
- Measles can remain airborne for up to two hours and, if one person is infectious, up to 90% of nearby unvaccinated people may become infected.
- Symptoms typically appear 7–21 days after exposure; those exposed on Feb. 6 may develop symptoms between Friday and Feb. 27.
- PHMDC advises unvaccinated and unprotected individuals (including people born in or after 1957) to quarantine until Feb. 27.
- Anyone who may have been exposed should call their clinic before visiting and may contact PHMDC at [email protected] or (608) 266-4821.
- PHMDC and other providers offer free vaccines to uninsured adults and children and to children with medical assistance.
Background
Measles is an acute viral illness known for high transmissibility and a predictable incubation period of roughly one to three weeks. The virus spreads via respiratory droplets and can persist in enclosed airspace for up to two hours after an infectious person coughs or sneezes, increasing the risk to unvaccinated bystanders. The MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine is the primary public-health tool to prevent outbreaks; high community vaccination rates blunt transmission chains and protect vulnerable populations.
Wisconsin has recorded several imported and travel-associated cases in early 2026: the state’s first confirmed case was in a Waukesha County resident, and a separate Milwaukee County case was linked to a returning flight from Phoenix. Local health departments have responded by tracing contacts, alerting potential exposure sites and reminding high-risk groups about vaccine requirements and availability.
Main event
PHMDC announced investigators identified a person who stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Madison on Feb. 6 from 12:01 a.m. until noon and later developed measles. Officials issued an exposure notice to hotel guests and staff and established a monitoring and quarantine recommendation for those potentially exposed. The office provided a public contact point—[email protected] and (608) 266-4821—for people with questions or concerns about possible exposure.
Because measles can be contagious before the characteristic rash appears, public-health teams are focusing on timing and locations where the traveler was present. People exposed at the hotel on Feb. 6 were told to watch for fever, cough, runny nose and tiredness; high fever above 104°F and a characteristic rash are common as illness progresses. Anyone who may be symptomatic is asked to call ahead to their health provider rather than walk into clinics, so staff can take infection-control precautions.
Officials emphasized this case is unrelated to a prior case involving a University of Wisconsin–Madison student. Following the earlier student incident, the university required students to provide proof of immunization, including the MMR vaccine, to reduce campus transmission risks. Public-health teams continue contact tracing and outreach to limit further spread.
Analysis & implications
Short, travel-linked chains of measles cases are a recurring challenge where immunity gaps exist or when imported infections reach communities with insufficient vaccine coverage. The appearance of a second Dane County case underscores the ease with which a single infectious traveler can prompt local investigations and disrupt routine services. Because measles transmission can be silent before visible symptoms, prompt identification of exposure sites like a hotel is critical to avert larger clusters.
For individuals born in or after 1957 who lack evidence of immunity, the public-health recommendation to quarantine until Feb. 27 is intended to interrupt possible secondary transmission during the virus’s incubation window. That guidance balances the incubation timeline (7–21 days) with the specific Feb. 6 exposure date to set a conservative end date for monitoring and quarantine.
Healthcare and congregate settings face particular risk because a single index case can lead to multiple secondary infections if staff or vulnerable patients are susceptible. The public-health response—contact tracing, advance-notification to clinics and free vaccine offerings—targets these high-risk pathways to reduce hospitalizations and protect infants and immunocompromised residents who cannot be vaccinated.
Comparison & data
| County | Case number (2026) | Likely link |
|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | 1 | Resident, first confirmed case |
| Milwaukee | 2 | Associated with returning flight from Phoenix |
| Dane | 2 (county count) | Traveler stayed at Madison hotel on Feb. 6 |
These early-2026 cases in Wisconsin show multiple introductions tied to travel rather than a single sustained local outbreak. Public-health officials use case counts, exposure timing and vaccination history to triage contact investigations and prioritize vaccine outreach at sites linked to known exposures.
Reactions & quotes
Public-health officials framed the notice as a targeted precaution aimed at preventing spread and protecting unvaccinated residents and sensitive settings.
“We are investigating the potential exposure and reaching out to those affected to provide guidance and testing as needed,”
Public Health Madison & Dane County (official statement)
A local health clinician highlighted the importance of calling ahead before seeking care to avoid exposing other patients.
“If you believe you were exposed, call your doctor’s office before visiting so staff can take precautions,”
Local clinic spokesperson (healthcare provider)
Unconfirmed
- No public confirmation yet whether the traveler was the original source of infection or acquired measles before or after the Madison stay.
- No public report has confirmed additional secondary cases directly linked to the Feb. 6 hotel exposure as of the PHMDC announcement.
Bottom line
This investigation highlights how international or interstate travel can seed local measles exposures even when cases are isolated. The combination of a highly infectious virus and gaps in immunity means swift public-health action—quarantine recommendations, targeted notifications and ready vaccine access—remains essential to preventing broader spread.
Individuals with possible exposure should monitor for symptoms through Feb. 27, follow PHMDC guidance on quarantine and testing, and seek vaccination if they lack documented immunity. Continued contact tracing and transparent public communication will determine whether this event remains a contained incident or prompts wider outreach.