Well we've done coronavirus, polio, and monkeypox this year, why not measles too?

in health •  2 years ago 

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There have been 13 measles cases in Minnesota since June. That's significantly higher than the ~1-4 cases the state typically sees. Looks like it could be the start of an outbreak.

Most of the cases had travel history to a country where measles was endemic. Measles was eliminated in the US in 2000. Though the most recent case didn't have a travel history, which may indicate community transmission.

All the cases have been in the Twin Cities area. In past outbreaks in the state in 2011 and 2017, outbreaks typically were concentrated among the Somali community. Their vaccination rates decreased since 2008 amidst anti-vaxxer fearmongering around autism.

During the pandemic, Minnesota's measles vaccination coverage dropped ~3% among school-age children. It may seem small, but with measles there is very little margin for error in herd immunity. Generally you want vaccination rates of ~95% or more for measles herd immunity. Only ~89% of Minnesota kindergartens are fully vaccinated against measles. Rates among Somali children are much lower.

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