Outbreaks, Recalls, and Investigations in Wisconsin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health officials in several states, the California Department of Public Health Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are investigating a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to infant formula.

As of November 11, 2025, this outbreak includes 15 infants with suspected or confirmed botulism in 12 states. All 15 infants were hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. There have been no confirmed or suspected cases of infant botulism linked to this outbreak in Wisconsin.

Recalled infant formula

The recall includes all lot numbers, sizes of cans and single serve sticks of ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula. Parents and caregivers should stop using all ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula immediately. 

Advice to consumers

• Do not use any ByHeart Nutrition infant formula.
  • If anyone has leftover ByHeart powdered formula that was fed to their infant, they should record the lot number and best by date, and keep it stored for at least a month. If an infant fed ByHeart powdered formula develops symptoms of infant botulism, Bureau of Communicable Disease (BCD) staff may want to collect it for testing.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled formula using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
• If your infant has consumed ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula and has symptoms of infant botulism contact your doctor. Symptoms of infant botulism can take weeks to develop and include:
  • Poor feeding.
  • Loss of head control.
  • Difficulty swallowing.
  • Decreased facial expression.

Advice to businesses

• Do not sell or use recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula.
• Sanitize surfaces that may have come in contact with recalled formula.

Advice to clinicians

• Initial diagnosis of infant botulism is based on clinical symptoms.
• Consult with the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program for suspected cases by phone immediately at 510-231-7600.
• Begin treatment as soon as possible if clinical consultation supports infant botulism. Do not wait for laboratory confirmation.
• Providers should report all suspected cases of infant botulism to BCD immediately at 608-267-9003, or after hours at 800-943-0003 (option 4).
• More information for clinicians is available on the Clinical Overview of Infant Botulism webpage. 

Resources

Visit the FDA and CDC webpages for more information on this outbreak, and to stay up to date on other foodborne outbreaks and recalls:
CDC: Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula, November 2025
CDC: About Botulism
DHS: Botulism
FDA: Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism-Infant Formula 

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is working with local, state, and federal partners to investigate three multistate outbreaks of Salmonella linked to pet geckos.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 101 people in 33 states have gotten sick with one of the outbreak strains of Salmonella. Twenty-seven people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have occurred. Wisconsin has two laboratory-confirmed cases linked to these outbreaks.

Reptiles like geckos can carry germs like Salmonella in their droppings. These germs spread to their bodies and the area where they live. People can get sick with Salmonella from touching a gecko and then touching their mouth or food. 

If you have a pet gecko

Make sure to always take these steps to keep you and others healthy around it:

• Wash your hands with soap and water handling your gecko, feeding it, cleaning its cage or equipment, and before eating and drinking.
• Children under 5 years old should not handle or touch reptiles, amphibians. They are at higher risk of a serious illness from Salmonella infection.
• Keep your gecko and supplies away from your food and anywhere food is prepared, stored, served, or eaten.
• Clean your gecko supplies outside the house. If you must clean them indoors, use a laundry sink or bathtub and clean and disinfect the area right after.

Advice for businesses

• Educate ( PDF) customers about how to stay healthy around geckos.
• Learn industry-specific tips on how to prevent diseases with non-traditional pets.
• Keep different reptile species separate in your facility.

Symptoms of Salmonella

• Diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps are the most common symptoms of Salmonella.
  • Symptoms usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the germ.
  • Most people recover in four to seven days, without treatment.
• Some groups, like children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illnesses and that require medical treatment and hospitalization. 

Resources

Visit the CDC webpages for more information on this investigation and to stay up to date on other foodborne outbreaks and recalls:

CDC: Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Geckos
CDC: About Salmonella

Data about measles cases in Wisconsin can be viewed on the measles dashboard.

As of October 21, 2025, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Oconto County Public Health do not expect to report any further measles cases related to this outbreak. An outbreak is considered over once two incubations periods (42 days) have passed since the last reported case. In total 36 cases of measles were reported in Oconto County with two hospitalizations. All of the reported cases were confirmed cases.

Confirmed measles cases are cases that meet clinical criteria for measles and have been laboratory confirmed or have a direct link to a laboratory-confirmed case by location and time. Probable cases meet the clinical description of measles, but have not been laboratory confirmed or linked to a laboratory-confirmed case.

What is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus. The virus can be spread through the air and through direct contact with persons who are infected. Unvaccinated young children and other non-immune adults are at highest risk of serious disease from measles.

Most Wisconsinites are vaccinated against measles as children, which provides lifetime immunity. People who have never been vaccinated and are exposed to a person with measles can spread the virus to others in the community, leading to outbreaks.

The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated with the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.

Symptoms of measles generally start 10–21 days after exposure to the virus and include:

• Runny nose
• High fever (may be greater than 104^o F)
• Tiredness
• Cough
• Red, watery eyes, or conjunctivitis (“pink eye”)
• A red rash with raised bumps that starts at the hairline and moves to the arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin

For a full description of measles, see the DHS measles fact sheet, P-42174 available in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish, and the DHS measles webpage and CDC measles webpage.

What to do if you think you were exposed

If you develop any symptoms of measles, stay home (do not go to work, school, shopping, or use public transportation) and call your doctor’s office or clinic before visiting so they can take precautions so that other patients are not exposed to the virus.

How to get vaccinated

Contact your health care provider to schedule a vaccine appointment. People with health insurance may have vaccine benefits through a pharmacy as well—check your policy. Local health departments may be able to provide MMR vaccine to uninsured adults through the Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program, The Wisconsin Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) covers the cost of vaccines for eligible children. Check the VFA and VFC webpages for a provider near you.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is working with local, state, and federal partners to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella linked to certain home delivery meals made by Metabolic Meals.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 16 people in 10 states were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella. Seven people have been hospitalized, and zero deaths have been reported.

Wisconsin has one laboratory-confirmed cases linked to this outbreak.

Product and recall information

The products in this recall were select meals delivered by Metabolic Meals during the week of July 28, 2025. Those meals include:

• Four Cheese Tortellini with Pesto Sauce and Grilled Chicken
  • Lot Code: 25199
  • Best By: 08/07/2025
• Low Carb Chicken Teriyaki and Vegetables
  • Lot Code: 25202
  • Best By: 08/05/2025
• Black Garlic & Ranch Chicken Tenders with Roasted Vegetables
  • Lot Code: 25205
  • Best By: 08/08/2025
• Sliced Top Sirloin with Roasted Peanut Sauce and Summer Vegetables
  • Lot Code: 25203
  • Best By: 08/06/2025
• Additional meal lot codes include: 25199, 25202, 25203, 25204, 25205

DHS and CDC continue to urge people to take the following steps:

• Check your fridge for the recalled products. Throw them away and do not eat them.
• Wash surfaces and containers that may have touched these products using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
• Call your health care provider if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:
  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 F
  • Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
  • Signs of dehydration, such as:
    • Not peeing much
    • Dry mouth and throat
    • Feeling dizzy when standing up

Symptoms of Salmonella

• Diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps are the most common symptoms of Salmonella.
  • Symptoms usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the germ.
  • Most people recover in four to seven days, without treatment.
• Some groups, like children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illnesses and that require medical treatment and hospitalization.

Resources

See the CDC webpages for more information on this investigation, and to stay up to date on other foodborne outbreaks and recalls:

• CDC: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Home Delivery Meals
• CDC: About Salmonella

A case of measles in a non-Wisconsin resident who was traveling through Wisconsin on August 4, 2025, has been reported. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), in coordination with St. Croix County Public Health and Rock County Public health departments, are working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed to the measles virus.

These exposures to measles are not related to the cases previously confirmed in Wisconsin. As of August 29, 2025, 23 cases of measles have been confirmed in Wisconsin.

The investigation has identified the following exposure locations in public settings for which a full list of exposed people cannot be obtained.

Individuals who were at the following locations may have been exposed to measles.

• Flying J Travel Center #470, 1191 70th Ave., Roberts, Wisconsin on Monday, August 4, 2025, between 7:15 a.m. and 10 a.m.
• Pilot Travel Center #289, 3001 Milwaukee Road, Beloit, Wisconsin on Monday, August 4, 2025, between 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

What to do if you think you were exposed

People at these locations during those dates and times should check their measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination status as soon as possible.

Wisconsin residents can find their immunization records using the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR). Instructions can be found in the DHS fact sheet Wisconsin Immunization Registry Information for Parents, P-42154 and are available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. If you are unable to access your records, please contact your doctor’s office or your local health department.

Measles can be prevented with the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR). Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% effective at preventing the disease. In general, people born before 1957 are considered immune and do not need a vaccine. All other adults without laboratory evidence of immunity should have at least one dose of measles-containing vaccine, and children should have two doses. Find more information about who should get a measles vaccine on the DHS measles webpage.

What to do if you think you were exposed

Anyone who was exposed to measles on August 4, 2025, would expect symptoms to start 10–21 days after exposure, or between August 14-25, 2025.

If you develop any symptoms of measles, stay home (do not go to work, school, shopping, or use public transportation) and call your doctor’s office or clinic before visiting so they can take precautions so that other patients are not exposed to the virus.

What is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus. The virus can be spread through the air and through direct contact with persons who are infected. Unvaccinated young children and other non-immune adults are at highest risk of serious disease from measles.

Most Wisconsinites are vaccinated against measles as children, which provides lifetime immunity. People who have never been vaccinated and are exposed to a person with measles can spread the virus to others in the community, leading to outbreaks.

The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated with the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.

Symptoms of measles generally start 10–21 days after exposure to the virus and include:

• Runny nose
• High fever (may be greater than 104 F)
• Tiredness
• Cough
• Red, watery eyes, or conjunctivitis (“pink eye”)

A red rash with raised bumps that starts at the hairline and moves to the arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin

For a full description of measles, see the DHS measles fact sheet, P-42174 available in English, Hmong, Somali, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Arabic, and Spanish, and the DHS measles webpage and CDC measles webpage.

How to get vaccinated

Contact your health care provider to schedule a vaccine appointment. People with health insurance may have vaccine benefits through a pharmacy as well—check your policy. Local health departments may be able to provide MMR vaccine to uninsured adults through the Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program.

The Wisconsin Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) covers the cost of vaccines for eligible children. Check the  VFA and  VFC  webpages for a provider near you.