Measles Case Confirmed in Southeast Minnesota County

Olmsted County Public Health Services has confirmed a case of measles involving a child under the age of five. The announcement was made in a press release on October 17, 2023. According to the health department, the child is symptomatic, unvaccinated, and recently had international travel.

The county is actively collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Health to notify individuals who may have been exposed to the infected child. The health department emphasized that unvaccinated individuals or those who have not previously contracted measles are at the highest risk and should monitor for symptoms, which include fever, cough, watery eyes, runny nose, and a distinctive rash.

In a statement, Mayo Clinic confirmed that the patient was seen at its facility in Rochester and is currently “doing well.” The clinic is coordinating with public health authorities to ensure community safety. “We are contacting patients, families, and staff with confirmed exposures to provide guidance,” the statement noted. “We have strict infection prevention protocols and highly trained teams who respond swiftly and effectively to infectious diseases.”

Measles is known to be highly contagious, with the virus capable of lingering in the air after an infected person has left the vicinity. Individuals who suspect they may have contracted measles are advised to contact their healthcare provider to avoid unintentionally exposing others.

Vaccination remains the most effective method of preventing measles. Children can receive their first dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine between the ages of 12 to 15 months. If a child is traveling internationally or to an area experiencing an outbreak, vaccination can begin as early as six months of age.

Before the announcement in Olmsted County, the Minnesota Department of Health had recorded a total of 20 measles cases across the state in 2023. On October 1, 2023, health officials urged the public to seek vaccinations after confirming an additional 10 cases within a few days. As the outbreak continues, public health authorities are stressing the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect communities from this preventable disease.