Latest news with #NickelodeonUniverse
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
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
You can now ride a train around the Mall of America
Shoppers can now take a "train" around the sprawling Mall of America. The Bloomington megamall has launched the "Star Express," which is open daily and transports families on a "fun and scenic loop" through the mall. The train station can be found at the north entrance of Nickelodeon Universe, between Victoria' Secret and Bath & Body Works. Tickets cost $7 for adults, $5 for kids, and are free for children who are under 3-feet tall. However, Mall of America says these are "introductory prices." Here's the description: "Riders will board the train near the kiosk. Star Express is a nearly ten-minute ride traveling past popular stores throughout the Mall's North Atrium, along with exciting rides in Nickelodeon Universe such as Boots Banana Swing, Avatar Airbender, and the Carousel, before returning back to the station." Click here for more.
CBS News
12-03-2025
- CBS News
Spring break is fast approaching. Where did the annual tradition come from?
As the days get longer and warmer, it's also a reminder for parents to get ready: Their kids are about to be home for a week straight. Mondays aren't such a drag when you trade a classroom for ramped-up recess. The Mall of America was busy with families trying to find a fun way for their kids to burn off some energy, many of them heading to Nickelodeon Universe. "It's tough if you have no plans just to stay home and be cooped up in the house," parent Anthony Kelly said. Both students and parents WCCO talked with highlighted the much-needed brain break that comes with the extended time off. The origin of spring break differs across the world, but many countries initially aligned a short school break with the Easter holiday, landing somewhere in March and April. College students partying at a beach down in the southern United States is a tradition going back nearly a century. In 1929, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, opened the state's first Olympic-sized pool outdoors. It attracted college swim teams in the 1930s that were looking for a place to train over spring break. Soon, word got out about the hotspot, and it wasn't just young swimmers eager to enjoy the Florida sun and fun. Ft. Lauderdale became a destination for young revelers, even idolized in the 1960 film "Where the Boys Are." Nowadays, airports are packed with families looking to shake off the winter blues, which sometimes overstays its welcome in Minnesota. "You've just been through January, February so, you really are craving some warm weather," one parent said. Minnesota's largest district, Anoka Hennepin Schools, is currently on spring break. Minneapolis and St. Paul students have to wait until end of the month.
