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Health officials warn of rising measles risk; Clay County has two exposed residents under follow‑up
Summary
A Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist told the county board Tuesday that measles cases are rising nationally and regionally, immunization coverage has dropped since the pandemic, and Clay County has two local exposed, susceptible residents under monitoring.
Isaac Trebould, West Central District epidemiologist for the Minnesota Department of Health, briefed the Clay County Board of Commissioners Tuesday on a national measles resurgence and local exposure follow‑up.
“Measles is one of our most infectious diseases,” Trebould said, explaining that one dose of MMR is about 93 percent effective and two doses about 97 percent effective. He said people are infectious from four days before a rash appears to four days after.
Tre-bould told commissioners the U.S. had just over 1,000 cases in 2025 so far, including a large outbreak in Texas (733 cases) and 13 cases in neighboring North Dakota. He said global declines in routine immunization since the COVID‑19 pandemic have reduced community protection; Clay County’s pre‑pandemic one‑dose rate for young children was about 91.4 percent but vaccination among the most recently born cohort has fallen to roughly 67.3 percent.
Tre-bould said the health department currently is monitoring two susceptible Clay County residents who had exposures tied to cases in Cass County; both exposures are being followed for a 21‑day incubation window. He described the public‑health burden of measles investigations: “If somebody was infectious in this room, we’d have to determine everybody who was in that boardroom for the next two hours and follow them for three weeks if they aren’t presumed immune.”
Public health staff said the county will make MMR vaccine available through the Minnesota Vaccine for Children program once additional doses arrive (they expected a 7–10 day lead time) and reminded residents that pharmacies vaccinate adults 19 and older while clinics and public health provide vaccines for children. Cheryl, a school‑nurse and public‑health clinic staffer, said the state immunization registry (Minnesota Immunization Information Connection, MIIC) sends reminders and postcards to families to help keep vaccine records current.
Commissioners asked about post‑exposure options and logistics; Trebould said vaccine can be effective as post‑exposure prophylaxis if given within three days of exposure, and immune globulin can be used within six days, but timing and reporting delays often limit those measures’ use.
Board members emphasized outreach to parents and schools and asked public health to coordinate with district nurses and childcare providers on exclusion policies and vaccine notifications.
