Latest news with #Minnesotans
Yahoo
8 hours 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
9 hours 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
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
When to expect the heaviest Canadian wildfire smoke in Minnesota this weekend
When to expect the heaviest Canadian wildfire smoke in Minnesota this weekend originally appeared on Bring Me The News. All of Minnesota will experience poor air quality this weekend as smoke — both near the surface and at higher altitudes — invades from wildfires that are burning out of control in Canada. Minnesotans will be able to see and smell the smoke when it nears the surface. "Due to Canadian wildfires, air quality across all of central-southern MN into western WI will be degraded to the Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups (AQI Orange) level through Monday. Thus, Air Quality Alerts have been issued by both MPCA and WIDNR," says the National Weather Service. "A cold front will drag smoke from large wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan southward across the Upper Midwest. Multiple waves of smoke will then follow for Saturday through Monday, resulting in a prolonged period of degraded air quality. "Sensitive groups, such as those with lung disease, heart disease, children and older adults may experience health effects and should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors." Sign up for our BREAKING WEATHER newsletters According to the weather service, "some improvement is expected across eastern MN tonight before building back east Sunday with the warm front. Periods of smoke will then persist into Monday." The near-surface smoke, which is unhealthy for everyone, will worsen throughout the day from north to south across Minnesota. The graphic below from the Grand Forks office the National Weather Service does a nice job of showing how smoke near the surface will evolve Saturday. Sunday could be worse as near-surface smoke could expand throughout more of Minnesota. Take a look: "The surface smoke is in sufficient concentrations for people to see and smell. There is high confidence that all Minnesotans will experience some level of air quality impact from smoke, and that some may experience significant air quality impacts," says the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). "Smoke concentrations may decrease at times in some parts of the state through the duration of the air quality alert, but afternoon heating and atmospheric mixing (which helps to bring smoke from aloft down to the surface) should result in additional rounds of poor air quality each day." While air quality alerts are in effect through Monday, it doesn't mean the smoke will go away next week. In fact, the MPCA says "additional fresh rounds of heavy surface smoke are possible from Monday into Wednesday of next week." A helpful tool to check the air quality in your location can be found here. Just enter your zip code for current air quality values. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Smoke from Canadian wildfires worsens air quality in Dakotas, Midwestern states
Smoke from Canadian wildfires worsens air quality in Dakotas, Midwestern states Canadian wildfires are raising air quality concerns in several states, including the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Show Caption Hide Caption Smoke drifting into US from Canada wildfires could impact health Smoke from Canadian wildfires has been detected drifting in through Montana, North Dakota and northern Minnesota. Smoke from raging Canadian wildfires is once again worsening air quality in some U.S. states. Parts of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and other states were all experiencing levels of smoke particulates in the air deemed between moderate and unhealthy the morning of May 31, according to the national air quality map from Forecasters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said the smoke is expected to continue its track south through the Plains states. The smoke is pouring in from blazes in Canada, including in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where authorities said a combination of rising temperatures, winds and low humidity has spread active fires to thousands of acres. At least 17,000 people have been forced to evacuate. Midwestern states including Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan are expected to feel the impacts of the smoke, which will cut across the central part of the country and reach parts of the East Coast later in the day, according to forecasters at FireSmoke Canada. The impacted regions were also among those in the Northeast, Midwest and Plains that experienced unhealthy air quality in the summer of 2023 due to smoke from out-of-control fires in Canada at the time. Then, skylines in several major cities were blanketed by an orange haze and air quality was abysmal for millions of Americans. Air quality alerts issued as US starts to see smoke Minnesotans began to feel the impact from the Canadian wildfires on May 29, and authorities across the Midwest have issued air quality alerts. Periods of smoke will persist through at least June 2, the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities, Minnesota said. An air quality alert was issued for the entire state of Minnesota through June 2, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said. People in sensitive groups such as those with lung disease or asthma, children and the elderly were cautioned that they could experience adverse health effects from the smoke. Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources on May 30 issued an air quality advisory that expired after 24 hours on May 31, but warned that smoke impacts could persist beyond then and extend the advisory in some areas. How to stay safe from wildfire smoke If air quality worsens in your area due to wildfire smoke, it's a good idea to limit time outdoors, experts say. The small particles in wildfire smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat and can affect the heart and lungs, making it harder to breathe. It can also cause headaches and bronchitis. Avoid physical exertion, including indoors, if air quality becomes unhealthy. While inside, keep windows and doors shut. Leave off any air conditioning or fan systems that pull air from outside, and use air filters or air purifiers. If you can't buy a commercial portable air filter, you can create your own. One example is the Corsi-Rosenthal box made from simple materials of an air filter, box fan and duct tape. If you must go outside, you should wear a high-quality, well-fitting N95 or P100 respirator mask to protect yourself. Keep your trips outside short. You should also watch out for your pets when air quality is bad because they can't wear a respirator mask to protect themselves, but still may need to go outside. Keep their bathroom trips outside short, and watch out for signs of distress such as red or watery eyes and nose, coughing or gagging and increased respiratory rate. You can monitor air quality in your area at Contributing: Taylor Ardrey and Michael Loria, USA TODAY
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Minnesota could avert "ban on keys" with deal to tweak toxic metals law
Minnesota lawmakers appear to have unlocked an 11th hour bipartisan deal to address concerns that a new toxic metal law effectively outlawed most common keys. State of play: A provision granting key makers a three-year exemption to the state ban on items containing certain levels of lead and cadmium made it into a sweeping commerce finance and policy bill finalized this week. After the three years, the lead limit for keys would be lowered to the same limit in place in California. Catch up fast: Critics, including the home security, boat and auto industries, spent much of the recent session sounding the alarm about their ability to comply with the 2023 law, which was meant to protect kids and workers from exposure to toxic elements. They said a lack of "commercially viable" alternative materials meant the sale of most common keys would be illegal. What they're saying: The Minnesota Retailers Association applauded the agreement as "a realistic and responsible transition that keeps homes, vehicles, and workplaces secure." "We're especially appreciative that lawmakers are poised to keep common household keys legal, striking a balance between protecting Minnesotans and recognizing how today's locking systems work," president Bruce Nustad said in a statement. The fine print: The agreement also exempts cadmium paint from the ban, in response to outcry from artists. What's next: The draft bill, released by an informal legislative working group on Thursday, is expected to get a vote when legislators return for a special session to finish the state budget.
