10 New Measles Cases Confirmed In Minnesota, All Among Unvaccinated

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota health officials are urging families to make sure their children are up to date on measles vaccinations after confirming 10 new cases this week, bringing the state’s total to 18 in 2025.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) said all new cases are among unvaccinated people in the Twin Cities metro area. Seven were linked to recent domestic travel and three others to international travel.

Measles cases are surging nationwide this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported more than 1,500 measles cases in 2025, the highest since 1992, and three deaths.

Myra Kunas, assistant commissioner for MDH’s Health Protection Bureau, said measles is one of the most infectious diseases in the world and "finds those who are not vaccinated."

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is about 93 percent effective after one dose and 97 percent effective after two, according to MDH.

Children should get the first dose at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years old. An early dose is recommended for infants as young as 6 months if they will be traveling to a high-risk area.

Initial measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a rash that typically spreads from the head to the rest of the body.

People exposed to measles who are not vaccinated may be required to stay home from work, school, child care and public places for 21 days to avoid spreading the illness.

"Awareness and recognition of measles symptoms is crucial in our efforts to prevent the spread," said Jessica Hancock-Allen, MDH’s infectious disease director.

The virus spreads easily through coughing, sneezing or simply being in the same room as an infected person. It can linger in the air for up to two hours.

Minnesotans can check their immunization records at the state’s Find My Immunization Record website.