WOODBURY, MN (WNN) – The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed two cases of measles – one in Dakota County and another in Washington County. The department said in a news release that the cases are not related and so far the state has had four confirmed cases this year.

An adult in Washington County was exposed during domestic air travel outside of the state. The department adds that the adult’s vaccination status is unverified. The adult’s specific location in the county was not released.

The Dakota County case involves an unvaccinated child who has not traveled outside of Minnesota in the past month. The department says the child was infectious while at the theme park inside Mall of America on May 24. People who were at the mall on that day between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. may have been exposed. 

“Anytime we confirm a case of measles unrelated to travel that has no known source it is worrying,” said Jessica Hancock-Allen, infectious disease division director at MDH. “This is because it could be a sign that measles is spreading in the community undetected by public health and healthcare systems. It is uncertain where the child was exposed and whether others may have been exposed.”

Unvaccinated persons, or persons who have not had measles, are most at risk. Both the adult and child are recovering at home.

MDH and county health departments are contacting those who are known to have been exposed to both cases. The department release also states:

• Initial symptoms of measles include a fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes followed by a rash that typically spreads from the head to the rest of the body. It generally takes eight to 12 days from exposure for someone with measles to develop the first symptoms. The measles rash usually appears two to three days after the fever begins.
• If symptoms develop, people should call their health care provider before going to a clinic. Calling first is an important way to ensure that proper care is received without accidentally exposing other people to measles.
• The best way to prevent measles is through immunization. Children should receive two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine—the first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at 4 to 6 years of age. For all ages, it is important to talk to your doctor if you are going to be traveling to another country or an area of the United States with a measles outbreak. Children 6 to 12 months old can get an early dose of MMR vaccine if their travels will put them at high risk for measles. Your doctor can check to make sure you and your family are up to date on your immunizations and make sure you do not need any other immunizations.
• People are encouraged to check their immunization records to confirm that they and their children have received the MMR vaccine. Minnesotans can also go to Find My Immunization Record. Most people born before 1957 have had measles and are considered immune.
• Measles is a highly contagious illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Measles spreads easily by coughing, sneezing or even being in the same room with someone who has measles. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

“Measles spreads easily, and it finds those who are vulnerable,” Hancock-Allen added. “We are seeing increased measles cases throughout the U.S. and internationally this year. The time is now for families to make sure their children are up to date on their immunizations to protect them from this potentially serious disease.”