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Sawyer County health officer warns of rising measles cases; clean-sweep collection scheduled
Summary
Health officer Julie McCollum briefed the board that Wisconsin had reported 25 confirmed measles cases and the U.S. 1,431 cases nationwide; Sawyer County public-health events include a Clean Sweep collection and a community health stakeholder meeting. McCollum emphasized vaccination and described local vaccine access.
Julie McCollum, Sawyer County health officer, told the Health and Human Services Board on Sept. 9 that Wisconsin had reported 25 confirmed measles cases and that the United States had 1,431 cases in the current reporting year.
McCollum said all 25 confirmed Wisconsin cases were unvaccinated. She reminded the board that one dose of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine is about 93 percent effective and two doses about 97 percent effective at preventing measles, and she called vaccination the best defense against further transmission.
Locally, McCollum highlighted several upcoming public-health initiatives. Clean Sweep — a hazardous-waste, sharps and unwanted-medication collection — was scheduled for the Sawyer County Fairgrounds for “next Tuesday” from 2 to 6 p.m., per McCollum’s remarks. The department planned to collect sharps, unwanted medications, electronics and household hazardous waste at one consolidated site.
McCollum also previewed a community stakeholder meeting to review the community health improvement plan and needs assessment, scheduled for Oct. 30 at LCO University. She said the county will invite elected officials, community organizations and businesses to discuss a gap analysis and next steps for community health initiatives.
Board members asked about vaccine access and barriers. McCollum said reasons for under-vaccination appear multifactorial; some families decline vaccination on principle but may seek immunization if there is a local outbreak. She noted that the Vaccines for Children program covers vaccines for uninsured or underinsured children and that Native American residents are eligible under that program; many health insurance plans also cover routine childhood vaccines. McCollum said well-child visit declines during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced vaccination opportunities and contributed to lower coverage in parts of the country.
On measles severity and side effects, McCollum said the MMR vaccine is live-attenuated and can cause mild reactions such as a sore arm or low fever; overall, children tolerate the vaccine well. She said the county had no confirmed measles cases in its immediate northern regional area at the time of the meeting; the 25 Wisconsin cases were concentrated in the northeastern part of the state.
McCollum urged continued coordination among county departments and tribal partners to maintain vaccination coverage and other protective measures.
