Measles is on the rise in Minnesota communities as the disease spreads through unvaccinated communities, especially in Minneapolis.
In 2024, 60 measles cases were reported, 52 as part of a May outbreak, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s website. This year’s total more than doubled the 22 reported cases in 2022 but was less than the high of 75 set in 2017.
The outbreak has largely affected unvaccinated children in Minneapolis’ Somali community, the website said.
“Regrettably, vaccination rates against measles have dropped significantly in our Somali community over the past 10-15 years,” said Dr. Abdul Abdi, a pediatrician at Children’s Minnesota, in a press release.
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease spread through people coughing and sneezing, putting droplets in the air.
The disease starts with cold-like symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and fever before a red rash develops, said Boynton Health Public Health Nursing Director Lesley Gray.
Director of Public Health at Boynton Health Michelle Trumpy said measles tends to appear most in unvaccinated populations.
“Vaccination is the best prevention that’s out there,” Trumpy said. “It’s important for students to stay up to date with all the vaccines that they’re eligible to receive.”
Senior Epidemiologist Supervisor Cynthia Kenyon said to help prevent measles is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. It comes in two doses, one usually given at 12 months old then the second one between 4 and 6 years old, but people can get it at any age.
“It is 93% effective even with just one dose and with the second dose, it is 97% effective,” Kenyon said. “So once you’ve been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, you’re really quite well protected from measles.”
Trumpy said vaccination rates are high at the University of Minnesota as the University will put a hold on a student’s registration if they don’t have the required vaccines. The last time an undergraduate student got measles was in 2015, Trumpy added.
“It is a state statute that anyone attending post-secondary institutions (has to get two vaccines),” Trumpy said. “One is the MMR, measles mumps and rubella. The other one is the Td, the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine. That’s a really important measure from a policy perspective to keep students safe on college campuses.”
Kenyon urges people studying abroad to check their vaccination records with a travel clinic before their trip.
“It’s a really good thing to review your immunization records and even check with a travel clinic before you travel,” Keynon said. “Also, there’s sometimes other diseases that are circulating in other countries that aren’t a vaccine we routinely give here in Minnesota, but we might want you to get it before you travel to another country.”
Besides the vaccine, there are other ways to protect yourself, Gray said.
“Wash your hands. That is the best public health advice that we can give people,” Trumpy said. “It’s so important to protect yourself against a variety of illnesses. Stay home if you’re sick. That’s really important.”
Vaccine week is happening around campus from Oct. 28 through Nov. 1 at Coffman Union and Nov. 7 at the St. Paul Student Center, creating a space for students to come get seasonal (flu and COVID-19) vaccines, Trumpy said.
“We have a lot of really easy, low-barrier ways to get vaccinated on campus that we hope are convenient for students,” Trumpy said.