Investigators with the Minnesota Department of Health are working to determine the source of exposure in relation to two measles infections identified in the state, according to a report from FOX 9.
The measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning that cases identified among U.S. residents are typically the result of international travel. However, neither of the two children infected with the virus had traveled abroad, leaving the source of the viral exposure unknown, according to the report.
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The state health department is working to contact individuals who may have come into contact with the infected individuals and subsequently exposed to the virus.
"I think it's important for people to realize that we have two cases now, we do expect that we will likely see more cases of measles and that will not be surprising to us," said Kris Ehresmann, BSN, director of infectious disease epidemiology, prevention and control with MDH, according to the report.
The measles is a highly communicable virus characterized by fever, runny nose, cough and a rash that spreads all over the body. The illness can be fatal.
To learn more about the measles, click here.
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