Latest news with #DakotaCounty
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Urgent health warning as most contagious disease on Earth is detected at Mall of America
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.
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Unvaccinated child with measles visited Mall of America, exposing patrons, health officials warn
Officials say families could have been exposed to measles at the Mall of America because of an unvaccinated child. That unvaccinated child from Dakota County is one of two new measles cases reported in the state. The other case is an adult in Washington County who was exposed while traveling. Health officials say the child was not vaccinated and could have exposed others while at the theme park inside the Mall of America on the evening of May 24. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. "It is spread by talking and laughing and singing," explained MDH's Director of Infectious Disease Jessica Hancock-Allen. "And unfortunately, it can hang out in the air and infect others for up to two hours, even after that infectious child, in this case, leaves that airspace. Which is the reason that we're out here really warning the public." Hancock-Allen said the disease is potentially deadly, noting it can cause very high fevers. "It can be super miserable. It can cause brain swelling. Pneumonia," she said. "We had 70 cases in MInnesota in 2024. 40% of those cases ended up in the hospital and rarely, but it can cause death." Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and full body rash. Measles cases are on the rise. MDH blames declining vaccination rates: in 2019, more than 92% of Minnesota kindergarteners were fully vaccinated. In 2024, that number had decreased to 87%. "Ultimately I am safe and they are safe because we are choosing to vaccinate, but it does pose a significant risk, the less people that are vaccinated for it," said Alexander Vechensky, who has two daughters. While the unvaccinated child with measles visited the Mall of America on May 24, symptoms may not exhibit themselves until May 31 through June 14. "Providing a clean safe environment is a priority to us, as we have extensive daily sanitation protocols for all rides, food services, and Mall common areas," the Mall of America said in a statement. So far this year, the U.S. has reported 1,088 cases of measles, with more than 720 in Texas alone.
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
2 new measles cases confirmed in Minnesota as total climbs to 4; health officials urge vaccination
Here's what you need to know about measles, according to doctors Here's what you need to know about measles, according to doctors Here's what you need to know about measles, according to doctors Two more cases of Measles have been confirmed in Minnesota, bringing the total number of cases in 2025 to four, according to a release sent by the Department of Health on Monday. One case is an unvaccinated child from Dakota County, who was infectious while at Nickelodeon Universe in Mall of America on May 24. Health officials are asking anyone who was at the mall between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. that day to watch for symptoms that develop between May 31 and June 14. Anyone who is unvaccinated or has not had measles are most at risk of contracting the virus, officials said. The child has not traveled outside of Minnesota in the last month and had no known exposures. "Anytime we confirm a case of measles unrelated to travel that has no known source, it is worrying," Jessica Hancock-Allen, infectious disease division director at MDH, said in the release. "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 other confirmed case is a Washington County adult whose vaccination status is unverified, the state agency says. Both individuals are recovering at home. Minnesota officials are working with local health departments and other locations in the Twin Cities to notify those who were exposed to either case. The agency confirmed the first case on March 24 in a Hennepin County adult who had recently traveled domestically and internationally, and the second confirmed case announced in April was an infant less than 1 year old. The infant was diagnosed with the virus while in another country, and wasn't infectious when they returned to Minnesota. MDH says the best way to prevent measles is through immunization. Officials recommend children receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine — the first at 12 to 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old. Minnesota immunization records can be found here. So far this year, the U.S. has reported 1,088 cases of measles, with more than 720 in Texas alone. Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, and in some cases can cause severe infections in the lungs and brain that can lead to cognitive issues, deafness or death. Note: The above video first aired on April 22, 2025.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dakota County commissioner to change plea in two criminal cases
DAKOTA COUNTY, Neb. (KCAU) — A Dakota County commissioner is set to change his not guilty pleas in two separate cases. Court documents indicated that an attorney for 68 year-old Richard Bousquet submitted a motion for continuance, saying the changes are in accordance with his plea agreement with Nebraska. Back on January 5, an officer pulled over and arrested Bousquet for drinking and driving. He faces a total of five charges. Then, Bousquet was arrested again on January 21 for driving with a revoked license. He's facing three charges in that case. A hearing is scheduled for June 11. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Shelter-in-place order issued due to police activity in Lakeville, FEMA says
Wildfires continue to burn in northeastern Minnesota, and more headlines Wildfires continue to burn in northeastern Minnesota, and more headlines Wildfires continue to burn in northeastern Minnesota, and more headlines The Federal Emergency Management Agency says a shelter-in-place order is in effect south of the Twin Cities on Thursday. At around 2 p.m., FEMA issued an alert that said the shelter order is due to police activity in the area of Highview and 190th Street in Lakeville. It'll be in place until police issue an all clear once the incident is resolved. The alert stated that the shelter-in-place order is for the entirety of Dakota County. This is a developing story. Stay with to learn more.
