MN Officials Concerned About Possible Community Spread of Measles
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Department of Health is expressing concern about the possible community spread of measles due to the discovery of three measles cases this week.
The department says the confirmed cases of the highly contagious infection involved unvaccinated children in Anoka, Hennepin, and Ramsey Counties. One case was confirmed on Monday, while the two other cases were confirmed yesterday. Two of the children required hospitalization.
A statement issued by the health department says, based on current information, the cases are not directly linked to each other and involve children who have not been traveling. Health officials say they are continuing to investigate the three measles cases and are looking into any potential connections to previous cases reported in Minnesota.
“Measles spreads easily, and it finds those who are vulnerable,” said Jessica Hancock-Allen, infectious disease division director at MDH. “That is why it is important for families to make sure their children are up to date on their immunizations to protect them from this potentially serious disease.”
So far this year, the Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed 15 measles cases. Officials say all of the cases affected unvaccinated children and more than half of them were hospitalized due to the illness.
The news release on the situation says the initial symptoms of measles include "a high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes followed by a rash from the head to the rest of the body." Typically, the symptoms began to show up 8 to 12 days after exposure to an infected person.
The infection is easily spread by coughing, sneezing, or even being in the same room with a person who has measles. Health officials say the virus can also remain airborne for as long as two hours after an infected person leaves. The infection can result in serious illness that requires hospitalization and can even be fatal.
The health department urges everyone to make sure they and members of their family are up to date on their immunizations. Children should receive two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine beginning shortly after their first birthday and then between the ages of four and six. It's also recommended that infants over six months old receive their first dose of the vaccine if they will be traveling to a country where measles is common.
- Motorcyclist Hospitalized After Crashing on Minnesota Freeway
- Minnesota Child Not Expected to Survive Dog Attack
- Rochester Police: On-The-Run Minnesota Sex Offender Captured
Top 10 Favorite Things at the Olmsted County Fair in Minnesota
Gallery Credit: Jessica On The Radio
