Vernon County health officials report rising RSV, measles cases in Wisconsin and drop in vaccination rates

Vernon County Health Officer Amy Kleiber briefed the Board of Health on statewide and regional communicable-disease trends, saying RSV activity is on the rise, influenza is at moderate levels and COVID remains low.

Kleiber cited newly released 2025 data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services showing an almost 2% decline in statewide vaccination rates compared with 2024 and warned that even small declines in vaccination coverage increase the risk of preventable disease spread and outbreaks. She told the board there are two current measles cases in Wisconsin.

Kleiber also raised concerns about an emerging dermatophyte, Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII), and reported more than 30 confirmed or suspected cases in a Minnesota cluster since July 2025. She mentioned continued monitoring of bird-flu developments but did not provide case counts for avian infections in the county.

No formal actions or new mandates were recorded in the minutes; the item was presented for situational awareness and operational planning.