Twin Cities measles outbreak climbs to 51 confirmed cases
A measles outbreak in Minnesota is continuing to grow, with 51 cases now confirmed in the Twin Cities area since May.
The latest data from the Minnesota Department of Health shows nine new cases have been confirmed this month.
A dozen people sickened with measles in Minnesota have been hospitalized since the outbreak began.
Where is measles spreading?
According to MDH, all of Minnesota's confirmed cases of measles have been found in the Twin Cities area.
To date, the vast majority of cases – 45 in total – have been confirmed in Hennepin County.
Anoka, Ramsey and Dakota counties have also recorded at least one confirmed case.
The Sahan Journal recently reported the outbreak has spread to an elementary school in Minneapolis where over a quarter of students are not fully vaccinated, though school and health officials have declined to name the school due to privacy concerns.
Students at the school who are not vaccinated are being excluded from attendance for 21 days, the Sahan Journal reported last week .
In an email alert, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) officials urged district families to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date in their household.
"Please use this notice to ensure that you and your family are vaccinated and safe from this very contagious yet controllable disease," MPS wrote. "Please also make sure your school health office has the most up to date immunization records."
Who is getting measles?
According to health officials, the measles outbreak is primarily affecting unvaccinated children in the state's Somali community , which has been targeted with misinformation regarding vaccine safety.
However, anyone who is not up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is considered at risk.
Children between the ages of 1 and 5 have accounted for 24 of Minnesota's confirmed measles cases to date.
Why is measles on the rise in Minnesota?
In an interview with MPR News last week , Dr. Ruth Lynfield, the state epidemiologist, said Minnesota's total number of confirmed cases in 2024, which is 58, is as many cases as the entire United States recorded in 2023.
According to Lynfield , Minnesota previously recorded between zero and four cases of measles in a typical year. However, declining vaccination rates have driven a increase in measles outbreaks.
Because measles is so highly contagious, experts believe vaccination rates above 90% are needed to prevent large outbreaks.
"If you had 10 people who were susceptible in a room and someone with measles came into that room, nine of the 10 would get infected," Lynfield explained .
The number of infections recorded in Minnesota this year represents second worst year for measles in more than the past two decades, only trailing behind the 2017 outbreak that grew to 75 confirmed cases.
"Even a small drop in the immunization coverage rate means there are thousands more children who could be vulnerable to disease because they are not vaccinated," Jennifer Heath, the immunizations program director for MDH, said during the 2022 outbreak . "If the coverage rate in a setting like a childcare or school is significantly less than 85 or 90 percent, that's an outbreak waiting to happen."
