Urgent health warning as most contagious disease on Earth is detected at Mall of America

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

An urgent warning has been issued following the discovery of world's most infectious disease at America's largest shopping mall.
Health officials have revealed that a child who visited the Mall of America - which is about the size of 78 football fields - in Minnesota on May 24 has tested positive for measles.
The unvaccinated child from Dakota County, who has not traveled outside of Minnesota in the last month, visited the mall's theme park and they were infectious at the time.
People who were at the mall on May 24 between 5pm and 9pm may have been exposed as a result.
The state's health department warned symptoms of measles - including a blotchy rash, fever and cough - could develop as late as June 14 in those who were exposed.
They highlight that unvaccinated people are most at risk and should watch for signs of the viral disease.
Another case of measles has also been confirmed in Minnesota but it is not said to be related.
This case involves a Washington County adult whose vaccination status is unverified.
The individual was exposed to the virus during domestic air travel outside of Minnesota and is currently recovering at home, as is the child who was infected.
These incidents bring Minnesota's confirmed measles cases up to four in 2025.
The Minnesota Department of Health is now working with local health departments and other Twin Cities locations to contact those who were exposed to either case.
Jessica Hancock-Allen, the infectious disease division director at MDH, says the case detected at the Mall of America is particularly concerning as there is currently 'no known source'.
She explained: 'Anytime we confirm a case of measles unrelated to travel that has no known source it is worrying.
'This is because it could be a sign that measles is spreading in the community undetected by public health and healthcare systems.
'It is uncertain where the child was exposed and whether others may have been exposed.'
The Minnesota cases come as measles cases in the US continue to spike.
Currently there have been 1,088 confirmed measles cases and at least three deaths reported by 33 states.
Of these cases, three-quarters are in children under the age of 19.
In an updated advisory, the CDC is warning that people can get infected with measles during travel or at crowded events, unless they are fully vaccinated or have had the disease.
The notice reads: 'Travelers can catch measles in many travel settings, including travel hubs like airports and train stations, on public transportation like airplanes and trains, at tourist attractions, and at large, crowded events.
'Infected travelers can bring the disease back to their home communities where it can spread rapidly among people who are not immune.'
The government agency recommends that all travelers be fully vaccinated against measles before traveling to an international destination.
The last time measles was this rife in the US was in 2019, when there were 1,274 cases reported for the entire year.
Prior to that, the biggest outbreak was in 1990, with numbers spiking to more than 27,000.
Measles was officially eradicated in the US in 2000 amid a successful vaccination campaign.
At the time, the CDC described achieving measles elimination status in the US as a 'historic public health achievement'.
However, a recent study found uptake of the vaccine among children declined in eight in 10 US counties last year, which is being signaled as the cause of the measles resurgence.
Overall, vaccine rates fell three percent across the country.
It means that merely 91 percent of children are vaccinated against measles, which is well below the 95 percent need to prevent the disease from spreading and causing death.
The Johns Hopkins University researchers warned that if vaccination rates continue to fall, measles is likely to completely return and become a common infection among Americans.
A majority of those infected as well as the all of the deceased had not received their MMR vaccine - primarily due to vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, experts say.
Without the MMR vaccine, which is 97 percent effective at stopping infections, measles is thought to be the most infectious disease in the world.
It causes tiny white spots inside the mouth, flat red spots on the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet, ear infections and an intense fever.
In terms of when to get vaccinated, experts say children need two doses of MMR vaccine: the first dose at age 12-15 months, and the second dose at age 4-6 years.
Babies ages 6-11 months should get an early dose if traveling internationally. Adults should also check to see if they are immune to measles.