Latest news with #MinnesotaDepartmentofHealth
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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Minnesota child with measles visited Mall of America theme park
A nurse gives an MMR vaccine. The vaccine is 97% effective against measles when two doses are administered. (Photo by) The Minnesota Department of Health has documented two new cases of measles in the Twin Cities area, according to a Monday news release. One case is an unvaccinated Dakota County child who was contagious while visiting Nickelodeon Universe in the Mall of America on May 24. The second case is a Washington County adult who was exposed during travel within the United States. Their vaccination status is currently unknown. The child with measles has not traveled recently and does not have known exposures to the illness. '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 MDH. 'This is because it could be a sign that measles is spreading in the community undetected by public health and health care systems.' MDH doesn't yet know where the child was exposed and is working with local health officials to identify others who may have been exposed. These are Minnesota's third and fourth known cases this year. MDH urged those who visited the Mall of America on May 24 to be aware of possible measles symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a rash. Measles can lead to hospitalization and even death. Measles is a highly contagious airborne illness that can stay in the air up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. After being exposed to measles, a person could be asymptomatic for up to 12 days. The Minnesota measles cases come during a resurgent time for both the disease and anti-vaccine sentiments — President Donald Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed conflicting opinions on the safety and effectiveness of vaccinations. In April, Kennedy traveled to Texas, which is experiencing the largest measles outbreak since 2000. As of May 30, the Texas Department of Health has confirmed 738 cases of the illness since late January. Two unvaccinated children have died since the outbreak began. Following the visit, Kennedy appeared to endorse the vaccine on social media. 'The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine,' Kennedy said on X. In an interview with CBS news three days later, however, Kennedy argued that measles cases are inevitable. 'We're always going to have measles, no matter what happens, as the vaccine wanes very quickly,' Kennedy said. While the measles case count in Minnesota remains low, MDH recommended that Minnesotans get vaccinated and check their immunization records.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New MN measles cases confirmed, including Dakota County child who had not traveled
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. 'An absolute privilege': Darts President Ann Bailey offers advice, reflects on 10 years in Dakota County aging services Rosemount: Public invited to tour new $58M Police and Public Works campus Eagan city administrator to step down after 24 years with the city Red Panda Forest Habitat opens at Minnesota Zoo Interstate 494 closure slated for this weekend in Bloomington-Richfield area 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.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ramsey County leaders remind residents: ‘Safe gun storage saves lives'
While growing up in rural Minnesota, Ramsey County commissioner Tara Jebens-Singh had a classmate die by suicide at age 13. In college, she knew a student who was asked to leave school because he was struggling — and then took his life. 'Unfortunately, moments after returning home, he accessed a family gun,' she said. For those struggling with suicidal ideation, creating distance and time between them and a weapon is critical, said Jebens-Singh, who joined other county leaders Wednesday at Shoreview Library to remind residents who have firearms in their homes of the message: 'Safe gun storage saves lives.' 'Gun locks are not just a tool for gun safety,' she said. 'They are a lifesaving step that provides precious time that can make all the difference. Those moments can give a caregiver time to check on the children in the back room, or an individual in crisis time to reach out for help and rethink their options.' Ramsey County began its Gun Safety Initiative in 2016 as a partnership between the attorney's office, sheriff's office and public health, with the goal of educating families about the importance of safe gun storage by providing access to free gun locks at libraries, community centers and other sites across the county. Nearly 10,000 gun locks have been given out. With kids about to be spending more time at home while on summer break, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said, now is a critical time to speak out about how 'we can prevent the tragedies that occur around gun violence in our community.' Choi noted last week's case in St. Anthony, when a 3-year-old boy was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the head after he reportedly got hold of a gun inside a car and accidentally discharged it. The boy's condition is improving and 'it looks as though he is going to survive,' St. Anthony Police Chief Jeff Spiess said Wednesday. 'He's been communicative, and has been sitting up.' The child's mother was in the car when the boy got hold of a gun belonging to her friend, who was outside of the car, Spiess said. Investigators continue to review video and digital evidence, he said. Nearly every day in the U.S. a child gains access to a loaded firearm and unintentionally shoots themself or someone else. In half of unintentional shootings by children, they shoot themselves and in more than 90 percent of the remaining cases, the victim is another child, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. Households that lock both guns and ammunition are associated with an 85% risk reduction for unintentional gun injury among children compared to those that locked neither, according to the Manhattan-based nonprofit. 'A gun lock can be the difference between life or death if a child accidentally gets hold of a gun, or if an unsecured firearm is easily accessible to a teen experiencing a mental health crisis,' said Amy Caron, director of St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health. Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health reported preliminary data showing the number of Minnesota suicides in 2024 — 813 — was the same as in 2023, ending a 20-year upward trend. It marks two years of suicides below the state high of 860 deaths in 2022. 'While these preliminary numbers show the suicides rates per 100,000 residents holding steady, the overall upward trend over the last 20 years is concerning,' Caron said. Firearm injuries made up 51 percent of suicide deaths last year, a higher percentage than in recent years. 'These grim statistics are why gun locks and safely secured firearms are an important part of the work to prevent suicides, accidental deaths and injuries and gun violence,' Caron said. The Gun Safety Initiative is critical in helping prevent suicides, said Sue Abderholden, executive director of NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness). 'If you own a gun, please use a gun lock. Please use safe storage practices,' she said. She said it is important for people to know about a law went into effect last year in Minnesota called an 'Extreme Risk Protection Order' (called 'red flag' laws in other states), which are temporary court orders that remove guns from people who are suicidal or who may hurt others. There are two types of ERPOs: emergency and longterm. If a judicial officer grants an emergency ERPO, it goes into effect right away and lasts 14 days. A long-term ERPO, which can only be granted after a hearing, lasts between six months and one year. Abderholden said people also need to know about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which connects someone with a trained counselor 24/7 by calling or texting 988. 'We're also lucky that in Minnesota we have mobile mental health crisis teams serving all ages,' she said. 'These are tools that we can use to prevent suicide. Please use them.' Information about pick-up sites for free gun locks can be found at
