Health officials warn of measles outbreak in Milwaukee



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New figures from the Wisconsin Health Department indicate that at least 15% of Milwaukee's children are not vaccinated against measles. The data was released Thursday at the Wisconsin Children's Hospital. % equivalent to about 10,000 children. The hospital network now offers clinical vaccination in each of its 23 sites. Lyn Ranta said the high number of unvaccinated children in Wisconsin means that the state could be on the verge of causing a measles outbreak in the Milwaukee area. Ranta said that Wisconsin was fortunate not to have seen measles cases yet. Measles is especially deadly for babies, those with weakened immune systems and those who are not vaccinated. "We run a very high risk of spreading the disease," said Dr. Jorge Ramillo of Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers. The health center urges parents to vaccinate their children. "We are the fifth state to count the largest number of unvaccinated children in the United States," said Ramillo. A patient who contracts measles can be contagious before being diagnosed. The state said that there was no way of knowing if a parent or guardian had decided not to vaccinate a child.

New figures from the Wisconsin Health Department indicate that at least 15% of Milwaukee's children are not vaccinated against measles.

The data was released Thursday at the Wisconsin Children's Hospital.

This 15% equals about 10,000 children.

The hospital network now offers measles immunization clinics in each of its 23 facilities.

Dr. Lyn Ranta said the high number of unvaccinated children in Wisconsin means that the state could be on the verge of causing a measles outbreak in the Milwaukee area.

Ranta said that Wisconsin was lucky not to have seen measles cases yet.

"It's coming," she warned.

Measles is especially deadly for babies, those with weakened immune systems and those who are not vaccinated.

"We run a very high risk of spreading the virus like wildfire," said Dr. Jorge Ramillo of the community health centers on 16th Street.

The health center urges parents to vaccinate their children.

"We are the fifth state to count the largest number of unvaccinated children in the United States," Ramillo said.

A patient who contracts measles can be contagious before being diagnosed.

The state said that there was no way of knowing if a parent or guardian had decided not to vaccinate a child.

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