Overview
- The Minnesota Department of Health says the state has 80 confirmed measles cases in 2026, the most in a single year since 1990.
- Todd County accounts for 57 of the 80 cases, a surge that tripled the county’s total in recent weeks and has driven the statewide increase.
- MDH reported that all but two cases were in people who had not received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and that 71% of cases are children under 18.
- Health officials warned that measles is highly contagious, urged anyone recommended for MMR vaccination to contact their provider now, and said lower vaccination rates since the COVID-19 pandemic have left pockets of vulnerability.
- Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 4,500 cases this year, and state officials said travel-related introductions and continued spread mean more Minnesota cases are likely in the coming weeks.