Measles Cases on the Rise in the Metro Area

August 29, 2024

Minnesota health officials are urging families to make sure they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, as a measles outbreak continues to impact unvaccinated children in the Twin Cities metro area.   

Since May, more than 30 cases of measles have been reported in Minnesota as part of this outbreak. Initial cases were reported in May and June, but the outbreak started to excel at the end of July. Cases have ranged in age from seven months to 10 years, with one case in an adult. Nearly one in three cases have required hospitalization. So far, the outbreak is largely affecting unvaccinated children in the Somali community in Minnesota. However, anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk of getting sick with measles. 

“For all ages, it is important to talk to a physician to make sure you and your family are up to date on your immunizations,” said MMA President Laurel Ries, MD, in a vaccination press release the MMA distributed to media state-wide earlier this month. “Diseases like measles have made a come-back because of low immunization rates. We thought we had these diseases beat years ago.” 

After more than 50 years of use, the MMR vaccine has been shown to be safe to receive and works to prevent measles. General recommendations for MMR vaccine are for children to get two doses, one at 12-15 months of age and one at 4-6 years of age, although a second dose can be given earlier.   

There are other notable reasons to get vaccinated beyond preventing illness. Unvaccinated people exposed to measles need to stay home and away from others (quarantine) for 21 days. This means missing school, social and family events, religious events and gatherings, work, vacations and more.   

In addition to school starting, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) notes that there are some upcoming events in the Twin Cities metro area that could bring together large numbers of people, such as the Islamic Association of North America Annual Convention on September 1 and the Annual Minnesota Muslim Convention on September 14. Health officials urge attendees of these and other big events to be vaccinated and to stay home if they are not vaccinated and have been exposed to measles.   

MDH encourages parents/guardians to check their child’s immunization records to see what vaccines they may need. Minnesotans can visit Find My Immunization Record for more information. Most people born before 1957 have had measles disease and are considered immune. 

For more information, go to the MDH measles website.