The Minnesota Department of Health on Wednesday increased the total number of measles cases related to an April outbreak to 76, marking a six-case uptick from the week prior.
While the outbreak — which began in April — has reached four counties, majority of the cases have occurred among the Somali Minnesotan community in Hennepin County where there have been 67 total cases. Among all the cases in the state, 64 have been identified among Somali Minnesotans. Immunization rates among this population have declined in recent years due to the dissemination of misinformation fueled by debunked pseudo-science linking vaccines to autism. However, the outbreak has altered the perception of vaccines among some in the community.
As members of the community continue to regularly gather for Ramadan — the Muslim holy month — healthcare and religious leaders are working together to limit the transmission of the virus, according to a report from MPR News.
"One of the imams, and I'm paraphrasing, he said, 'If you don't immunize, it's like killing the Muslim children.' I think that's such strong messaging," Elham Ashkar, who works on community outreach for Minneapolis-based Children's Minnesota, told MPR News.
Measles is a highly communicable virus characterized by symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough and a red rash that covers the body. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing the measles, according to the CDC.
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