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The United States is at the heart of its largest measles epidemic in at least two decades. By mid-May, 880 cases had been reported in 24 states, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Until now, Minnesota has been spared. But health officials are monitoring the situation and encouraging vaccination to protect against the disease.
"Everyone should know," said Jennie Lippert, director of health and social services for Kandiyohi County.
The message put forward by the local health community: The MMR vaccine, a combination that protects against measles, mumps and rubella, is safe and effective.
A study linking the vaccine to autism was repeatedly belied by subsequent research and the original study, published in a British medical journal in 1998, was finally retracted.
But fears persist that there is a link, said Ali Lesteberg of Carris Health.
"People are hesitant," she said. "All the studies have proven that it's safe, it's so important that people know."
"We recommend the vaccine, which is the best way to prevent it," Lippert said.
The current measles outbreak began in January and has been linked by the CDC to travelers reporting disease from other countries where measles is still common. The disease can then spread to the United States when it reaches pockets of unvaccinated populations.
With the arrival of the peak holiday season, it is possible that the current outbreak is worsening.
"When people start traveling this summer, it also increases the risk," said Lesteberg.
Overall, local vaccination rates are equal to or higher than the state average. The counties of Kandiyohi and Renville, which have a combined public health program, account for 86 percent, said Lippert.
"In Minnesota we are lucky, we have high vaccination rates," she said.
The MMR vaccination rates at Carris Health clinics are also higher than the state average, according to Lesteberg.
Maintaining high immunization coverage, or "group immunity," is considered essential to prevent epidemics in communities.
Infants who are not yet old enough to receive the vaccine are a particularly vulnerable group. The first dose of MMR vaccine is recommended at the age of 1 year, leaving younger children unprotected until they reach the right age to be vaccinated.
"They are really at risk," said Lippert.
The measles virus is very contagious. Coughing and sneezing can make the virus airborne or contaminate surfaces such as doorknobs or tablets, allowing it to spread to other people who may be exposed and not sufficiently immunized.
Symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after infection and can include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. The clbadic red rash usually appears within three to five days of the onset of the first symptoms.
Measles can cause serious illness in all age groups, but children under 5, adults over 20, pregnant women and immunocompromised people are particularly vulnerable to complications from ear infections. to pneumonia and encephalitis. A small percentage of children may die of respiratory or neurological complications.
"It can be a very serious illness, which is why it's so important to prevent it," said Lesteberg.
The first MMR vaccine is recommended at 1 year. A second dose is recommended between 4 and 6 years.
Adults born before 1957 are considered immune to measles, said Lesteberg. People born after this date may not be fully protected, even if they were vaccinated in childhood. Since the early form of measles vaccine is not as effective as subsequent versions, it is therefore advisable for anyone who received the measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967 to be vaccinated.
If they are not sure or have no record of when they were vaccinated against measles, they should still consider a booster, unless their immune system is compromised or not 39, there is another factor that would make a booster dose discouraged, said Lesteberg. .
Because measles is so contagious, parents who suspect that their child has measles should keep it at home and call their doctor or nurse first, rather than go directly to the clinic, she said.
Minnesota is no stranger to measles. In 2017, the state recorded an outbreak of 75 cases, mostly among unvaccinated children in the Somali-American Twin Cities community.
Due to the diligent sensitization and education of local public health and health providers, no measles cases in this epidemic have occurred in Kandiyohi County.
Local providers say they have protocols in place and are ready to deal with a potential epidemic that becomes local.
"We must always think about it and think about it," said Lippert.
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