Measles cases increase in Minnesota, don’t in North Dakota

photo - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention MINNESOTA & NORTH DAKOTA (MNN/KFGO) – Minnesota’s measles outbreak continues to grow. The Minnesota Department of Health has reporting 160 measles cases statewide, an increase of 21 from last week’s update. Todd County accounts for the bulk of the cases, with 136. Health officials say 143 cases have been linked to the outbreak that began in mid-September. Additional cases have been reported in Anoka, Dakota, Fillmore, Hennepin, Polk, Scott and Wright counties. North Dakota has 38 measles cases confirmed this year according to the state’s Department of Health. Twenty-nine cases were people who weren’t vaccinated. Five people with the disease in the state needed to be hospitalized. Most of the cases, 23, have been in Pembina County. Other cases have been confirmed in Cass, Grand Forks, Dunn, Grand Forks, Ransom, Traill, Walsh and Williams counties. Health officials are urge you to make sure you are up to date on you measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations.