HENNEPIN COUNTY, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) flagged three measles cases in Anoka, Hennepin and Ramsey counties on Thursday, highlighting the importance of vaccines.
Measles has been on the rise in Minnesota in 2024, and these cases make a total of 15 since January, according to MDH. All cases have occurred in unvaccinated children, and more than half of those patients have been hospitalized.
MDH said in a news release that the three cases are not directly linked and involve people who have not traveled, but anyone who is not vaccinated against measles could be at risk.
What are the symptoms of measles? MDH describes them as a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash that typically spreads from the head to the rest of the body.
If you or family members have symptoms of measles, call your healthcare provider to set up a visit so you don't expose others.
For children who are not vaccinated, health officials recommend getting two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine — one around 12 to 15 months old, and the second when a child is around four to six years old.
For more information on vaccines in the metro area, click here for Hennepin County and here for Ramsey County.