Latest news with #MDH
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.
Axios
3 days ago
- Health
- Axios
Minnesota officials warn of measles exposure at Mall of America
A child who was infectious with measles was at the Mall of America theme park over Memorial Day weekend, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced Monday. Why it matters: Anyone who came in contact with the child at the bustling shopping and tourism destination may have been exposed to the highly contagious and potentially life-threatening disease. Threat level: MDH says people who were at the mall on May 24 between 5pm and 9pm should watch for symptoms — typically fever, cough, and a runny nose, followed by a rash — through June 14. People who are unvaccinated and have not previously contracted measles are at higher risk. Driving the news: The disclosure came as MDH announced two new confirmed cases of the illness in Minnesota, bringing this year's total to four. What we know: The child, who was unvaccinated, lives in Dakota County and had no known exposure prior to becoming ill. The second case, which officials say was unrelated, involved an adult from Washington County who was exposed during domestic air travel. Their vaccination status was unknown. What they're saying: While both individuals are recovering at home, state health officials say they're especially concerned about the child's case given the "worrying" lack of travel or known exposure. "It could be a sign that measles is spreading in the community undetected by public health and healthcare systems," Jessica Hancock-Allen, infectious disease division director at MDH, said in a statement. The mall told Axios in a statement that it informed team members and tenants of the case after learning about it on Friday and continues to work with state and local health officials on the issue. "Providing a clean and safe environment is a priority to us, as we have extensive daily sanitation protocols for all rides, food services, and Mall common areas," the statement read. The statement did not include a response to Axios' inquiry about how many people were at the mall the evening of May 24. Between the lines: People who believe they have measles should call their health provider before showing up in person to avoid exposing other patients, MDH says. What's next: MDH is working with local health departments to contact those who may have been exposed through either case.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Nickelodeon Universe visitors might've been exposed to measles, MDH warns
Nickelodeon Universe visitors might've been exposed to measles, MDH warns originally appeared on Bring Me The News. A Dakota County child infected with measles visited Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America in late May, state health officials said Monday. The Minnesota Department of Health said anyone at the theme park on Saturday, May 24 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. "may have been exposed and should be aware of any symptoms that develop between May 31 and June 14." The measles case detected in the child is one of two new measles cases recently confirmed by MDH, the agency announced. The other person infected with measles is a Washington County adult who was exposed during domestic air travel outside of Minnesota, MDH said. That individual's vaccination status is unverified. The Dakota County child infected with measles is unvaccinated, but had not traveled outside of Minnesota in the last month. How they contracted measles is unknown. 'Anytime we confirm a case of measles unrelated to travel that has no known source it is worrying,' stated Jessica Hancock-Allen, director of the infectious diseases division at MDH. "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." Health officials are urging families to ensure their children are up to date on their immunizations as measles cases are on the rise in the U.S. and globally. Minnesota recorded 70 cases of measles in 2024 – the highest number of cases seen since the 2017 outbreak involving unvaccinated children sickened 75. Over 730 measles cases nationally are linked to a major, ongoing outbreak in the West Texas. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called for people to get the measles vaccine, but has also faced criticism for falsely claiming the vaccine hasn't been adequately tested and offers only short-lived protection. Children should receive two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine—the first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at 4 to 6 years of age, according to MDH. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are considered 97% effective at preventing measles. Measles spreads easily by coughing, talking or being in the same room with someone who has measles, which can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours. According to Mayo Clinic, measles incubates and spreads throughout the body without signs and symptoms for 10 to 14 days. Symptoms typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose, inflamed or watery eyes and a sore throat. The relatively mild phase of the illness lasts two-to-three days typically, with rash onset following. The rash consists of small, slightly-raised red spots and bumps in tight clusters, typically appearing on the face initially. Measles can be serious or deadly for all age groups, but it's particularly dangerous for children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 20, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, around one out of every four people who get measles in the United States require hospitalization. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
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.
