As measles cases continue to rise in the Twin Cities, health officials are urging families to ensure they are current on their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines.
The Minnesota Department of Health says that 30 cases of measles have been reported in the state since the start of May, with numbers accelerating since the end of July.
Cases have ranged in age between children from 7 months to 10 years, and one case in an adult. About 1 in 3 cases have required hospitalization.
According to health officials, the outbreak is largely affecting unvaccinated children in the Somali community in the Twin Cities, however they warn, anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk.
The disease typically presents via a highly contagious rash, and spreads quickly when someone coughs, sneezes, or is in the same room as someone with measles.
It can be spread before someone shows symptoms, and the virus can remain in the air for up to two hours. If left untreated, it can cause severe disease, leading to hospitalization and even death.