The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has confirmed two cases of measles in the state.
Two brothers living in the Twin Cities metropolitan area were confirmed to be infected. The first case is a one-year-old child who recently traveled abroad and developed symptoms upon returning. Later, the child's brother also tested positive. Both children have not been vaccinated.
MDH is working to identify those infected. Officials say the risk to the public is low.
Jayne Griffiths is a senior epidemiologist at MDH.
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MDH senior epidemiologist Jayne Griffiths said: “This is concerning because measles is a very serious disease and a vaccine-preventable disease.”
Mr Griffiths said 20 to 30 per cent of measles cases end up in hospital.
Vaccination rates have been declining in recent years, both in Minnesota and nationally.
Mr Griffiths advised parents to make sure their children are up to date with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, especially if they are planning to travel abroad. He said the vaccine is highly effective, with one dose providing about 93% protection and two doses providing about 97% protection.
“That's the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles,” Griffiths said.
In a typical year, there are between one and four measles cases in Minnesota, Griffith said. There were 22 cases last year, but these two cases are the first of this year.
