Health department reports mumps cases nearby, rising influenza and local COVID activity; vaccination clinics planned

The Vernon County Health Department reported nearby mumps activity and said it is preparing vaccination outreach while monitoring influenza-like illness and local COVID trends.

Health staff told the board there had been a mumps outbreak reported in Clark County and a second case in Taylor County; local health staff said details on the Taylor County case had not been publicly released and were still under investigation. The department said it planned targeted outreach and immunization activities, including community vaccination efforts, and noted that MMR is a two-dose series typically given in childhood with routine boosters for certain groups; staff said during outbreaks an additional MMR dose can be used per public-health guidance.

The department reported influenza-like illness is at seasonal peak and that local COVID activity in Viroqua is at moderate levels. Staff encouraged standard precautions — handwashing and staying home when sick — and noted the state DHS site as a resource for travel and case-level information.

The department also reported one confirmed pertussis case and one probable pertussis case in a family, and three confirmed COVID cases plus one suspected during the past month; WIC and nursing staff coordinate follow-up when household-based exposures are identified. Health staff said they would begin community vaccine clinics and outreach to increase MMR uptake in identified at-risk groups.

No new local containment orders or mandates were proposed at the meeting.