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ST. PAUL, Minn. - Two cases of measles in children, both less than 16 months old, have been reported in Dakota County, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
MDH says a 12-month-old became ill after returning from Kenya and is currently hospitalized in critical condition. That child is no longer infectors, MDH says.
A 15-month-old who visited the family of 12-month-old also became ill and is hospitalized, according to the health department officials. MDH says the younger child was likely most factious from Aug. 4-7.
Neither child was vaccinated against measles.
"The occurrence of measles in Minnesota reminds us how important it is to be vaccinated against diseases, such as measles," said Dr. Aaron DeVries, medical director for the Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division at MDH. "Measles is not a benign disease, but can be very serious, even life-threatening, as this situation demonstrates. Children can die from measles."
Dakota County officials are joining area clinic and hospital staff where the children were treated to notify other people who may have been exposed and offering vaccine or immune globulin to decrease the chance of developing measles.
MDH has alerted health care providers in the state, particularly in Dakota County, to be alert for patients with signs or symptoms of measles. Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, watery eyes and a rash. The rash usually lasts five to six days and begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck and proceeds down the body. Vomiting or diarrhea can also accompany these symptoms, the health department warns.
Measles is spread through the air by infectious droplets and is highly contagious. It typically can be transmitted from four days before the rash becomes visible to four days after the rash appears.
There is no specific treatment for measles. People with measles need bed rest, fluids and control of fever. Patients may need treatment specific to any complications.
Anyone who has concerns about their health should contact their health care provider. If additional cases were to occur as a result of these cases, they would likely occur between now and Sept. 8, health officials said.
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