32° and Clear
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Reports 160 Measles Cases as Todd County Outbreak Raises Statewide Public Health Concerns
State health officials have identified infections in eight counties, including Anoka and Hennepin, as the highly contagious disease continues spreading among susceptible populations.
ST. PAUL, MN (November 14, 2026).
Minnesota has recorded 160 measles cases during 2026, according to the Minnesota Department of Health, with the overwhelming majority concentrated in Todd County as public health officials continue investigating transmission and working to prevent additional infections.
The department's November 12 surveillance figures show 136 cases in Todd County, six each in Anoka and Fillmore counties, four in Hennepin County, three in Wright County, two each in Polk and Scott counties, and one in Dakota County. The numbers are preliminary and may change as investigations continue and additional laboratory results become available.
Todd County accounts for approximately 85% of the statewide total, making it the center of Minnesota's current outbreak. However, the presence of cases in seven other counties demonstrates that the public health concerns extend beyond one community. In the Twin Cities metropolitan area, confirmed infections in Anoka, Hennepin, Dakota, Scott and Wright counties have increased the importance of monitoring symptoms, reviewing vaccination records and following guidance from local health authorities.
The Department of Health reported that 143 cases had been identified since mid-September as of its November 12 update, indicating that most of the year's infections occurred during the current outbreak period. The agency also classified 159 of the 160 cases as involving exposure within the United States, while one case was associated with international travel.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an enclosed space, creating opportunities for transmission among people who were not present at the same time. Infected individuals can also spread the disease before developing the characteristic rash, complicating efforts to identify exposures quickly.
Symptoms commonly begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes, followed several days later by a rash. Although many people recover, measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and inflammation of the brain. Young children, pregnant people and individuals with weakened immune systems may face increased risks.
Minnesota's reported total has surpassed the 70 cases recorded in 2024 and the 26 cases reported in 2025. The state also experienced a major outbreak in 2017, when 75 cases were documented. While each outbreak occurred under different circumstances, the 2026 figures illustrate the scale of the current public health challenge.
The Department of Health continues recommending vaccination as the most effective means of preventing measles. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is routinely administered in two childhood doses, generally beginning at 12 to 15 months, with the second dose recommended at 4 to 6 years. Different schedules may apply to individuals facing particular exposure or travel risks.
Families uncertain about vaccination records are encouraged to contact their healthcare providers or consult Minnesota's immunization records system. Individuals who believe they have been exposed to measles should seek medical guidance promptly because preventive measures may be available within limited periods following exposure.
Health officials also advise people experiencing symptoms consistent with measles to contact a medical facility before arriving in person. Advance notice allows healthcare providers to take precautions intended to reduce exposure among other patients and staff.
The outbreak carries implications for schools, childcare programs and healthcare facilities, where public health investigations may require notification of exposed individuals, review of vaccination records and temporary exclusion measures for susceptible people. Those responses can affect family schedules and school operations even when additional infections do not occur.
Minnesota health authorities continue monitoring the outbreak and updating surveillance information as new cases are confirmed. The state's immediate priorities remain identifying infections, limiting exposure and ensuring that residents have accurate information about vaccination and medical care.
STAY CONNECTED TO MINNEAPOLIMEDIA
Local stories matter. Subscribe free to MinneapoliMedia and receive independent news, community reporting and important updates from Minneapolis, the North Metro and communities across Minnesota.
SUBSCRIBE FREE: https://minneapolimedia.town.news/subscribe
MinneapoliMedia | Community. Culture. Civic Life
