Minnesota health officials identify first measles case of 2025

MDH identifies 1st measles case of 2025

The Minnesota Department of Health has identified the state's first measles case of the year. Nearly 400 cases have been confirmed across 18 states so far this year. FOX 9's Bill Keller has more on the story.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A person who flew from Minnesota to Washington, D.C., later tested positive for measles and health officials warned others may have been exposed.

Measle case

Local perspective:

DC Health issued an alert on Tuesday saying that an individual who tested positive for measles had visited multiple locations while contagious. The person is believed to have ridden two Amtrak trains on March 19 and visited a health clinic on March 22 in Washington, D.C. Officials say they are working to inform people in these locations that they may have been exposed.

A DC Health spokesperson told FOX 9 the person had flown from Minnesota to Washington, D.C., but did not provide further details about their flight or when they arrived.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) indicates there has been one reported case of measles so far in 2025, but further details were not immediately available. The website lists the case as pending classification or exposure data unknown. FOX 9 reached out for more information.

While measles is generally rare in Minnesota, there was a spike in 2024, with 70 reported cases. The state saw 22 cases in 2022 and 75 cases in 2017, according to MDH’s website.

What is measles?

Dig deeper:

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after coming in contact with the virus. Common symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, rash, and red watery eyes.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine helps protect against the virus. Anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk of becoming infected. The vaccine is typically two doses and is considered to be 97% effective at preventing measles, according to the CDC.

Measles outbreak

Big picture view:

While measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, there have been outbreaks around the country.

In the past three months, health officials have confirmed nearly 400 cases of measles in 18 states, with at least one death. The CDC states 95% of those infected are believed to be unvaccinated.

Texas is facing an outbreak with at least 327 cases and 40 hospitalizations since late January, according to the Texas Health and Human Services.

Health Minnesota