New MN measles cases confirmed, including Dakota County child who had not traveled

Yahoo

2 days ago

The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed two more measles cases in the state, saying one case is concerning because officials can't trace a known exposure to the infectious disease, which could mean that the virus is spreading in the state.
The two new cases brings the state's total this year to four.
The new cases, which officials say are unrelated, were reported in the east metro area. One person in Washington County, whose vaccination status is unknown, was exposed during domestic air travel outside of the state. The second new case is the infection of an unvaccinated Dakota County child who has not traveled outside the state in the last month and has no known exposure to the disease.
Both are recovering at home.
'Anytime we confirm a case of measles unrelated to travel that has no known source it is worrying,' said Jessica Hancock-Allen, infectious disease division director at the health department. '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 child was infectious while at the Mall of America theme park on May 24. Disease investigators say anyone who was at the mall between 5 and 9 p.m. that day might have been exposed. Any symptoms would appear eight to 12 days after exposure, meaning in this case between May 31 and June 14, officials said. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes followed a few days later by a rash that typically spreads from the head to the rest of the body.
People who are unvaccinated or who have not had measles are most at risk and should watch for symptoms.
The state department of health is working with local health departments to reach anyone they believe may have been exposed to either person.
People who suspect they have measles should call their health care provider before going to a clinic to avoid exposing other people, officials said.
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The best prevention is immunization. Children should receive two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine: first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at 4 to 6 years of age.
Minnesotans who don't have health records or are unclear about their vaccination record can go to Find My Immunization Record. Most people born before 1957 have had measles and are considered immune.
Measles is highly contagious and can lead to hospitalization and even death. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Additional information about measles can be found on the MDH Measles website.