Scott County public-health officials told the Community Health Board on Nov. 18 that measles is back in the United States and a recent travel-related case was confirmed in Scott County.

Dr. Wilcox, the county'affiliated medical presenter, described measles (rubeola) as a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause fever up to 104'F, a cough, eye inflammation and a characteristic rash. He said the infection can produce severe complications including pneumonia and encephalitis and can leave survivors with "immune amnesia" that raises susceptibility to other infections.

"In our country, there are 1,648 cases documented" so far in 2025, Wilcox said, and "Scott County, within the last few days, had its first case of measles in our county." He told commissioners that nationally 92% of cases were unvaccinated or of uncertain vaccination status; in Minnesota 95% of cases were unvaccinated or unknown as of Oct. 31.

Wilcox emphasized the protection offered by two MMR doses: "Two MMR vaccinations . . . will achieve 97% immunity to this virus," he said, and described the recommended schedule (first dose around 12 months, second at 4'5 years).

Local coverage is below the level commonly cited for herd protection. Wilcox said Scott County's MMR immunization rate is about 84.8%, while an immunization status of roughly 94.6% would significantly reduce community spread. He added that young children, pregnant people and immune-compromised patients are at the highest risk of severe outcomes.

Health staff and commissioners discussed enforcement and school requirements. Wilcox said school vaccination rules exist but that parents can decline vaccination under current exemptions; he recommended patients with concerns consult their medical providers.

The board was told the county will emphasize education and outreach and that public-health staff are tracking cases and preparing communications. The community-facing public-health performance dashboard and the county's Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) were presented earlier in the meeting as tools to improve program transparency and drive interventions.

Next steps: health staff said the dashboard will be published on the county website by year-end and encouraged providers and parents to confirm vaccination status. The county did not announce additional regulatory steps at the meeting.