Minnesota Sees Rise in Measles Cases Amid Vaccination Concerns in Somali Community
Minnesota is facing its largest measles outbreak since 2017, with health officials urging faster vaccinations amid low rates in some communities. š #News #MinneapolisMN #Minnesota #Health
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A child coughs in a crowded waiting room, their face showing signs of a red rash. Itās the unsettling reality faced by Minnesotans this year as the number of measles cases climbs.
So far, 46 cases have been reported, more than the state has seen since 2017. Behind each number is the risk of complications like brain damage, deafness, and even death. The air is thick with concern, especially among health officials.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is taking the threat seriously, adjusting vaccination guidelines in hopes of curbing the outbreak. Normally, children receive their second measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine around age four. Now, doctors are being urged to administer that second dose just one month after the first.
Vaccination Rates Remain Low
The low vaccination rates in certain communities are particularly alarming. Health experts are especially concerned about the Somali American population, where only 24% of children are fully vaccinated against measles.
While this community has been the target of disinformation campaigns falsely linking vaccines to autism, medical studies have repeatedly disproven this connection.
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Though the MDH isnāt specifying case numbers by ethnicity, they have noted that unvaccinated children in the Somali community are vulnerable to the spread. Despite efforts from health workers, misconceptions continue to fuel hesitation.
Health Experts Fear Further Spread
Experts are sounding the alarm over what could be a larger outbreak. While 46 cases may seem small, the highly contagious nature of measles is a cause for concern.
The virus can remain active in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, making it easy to spread in public spaces.
Beyond the Somali community, 87% of children statewide have received both doses of the MMR vaccine. Even so, health officials warn that this leaves many children susceptible to the disease. With fears of further spread growing, the push for faster vaccinations continues.
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