Measles cases continue climbing in Minnesota

Forum file photo By Ryan McNamara Today at 3:40 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? FARGO — Measles cases in Minnesota continue climbing higher than they have in decades. The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed with WDAY News that 59 new cases were reported last week. All of the people infected are unvaccinated. ADVERTISEMENT There have been more than 5,000 measles cases in the United States in 2026. Doctors say symptoms can present as cold symptoms before developing into a rash and can spread very easily. "If you have been in a space with measles and you have been even coughing, breathing, singing, talking, whatever, you will spread the virus around, and people using that space or who are in that space along with you will eventually get measles, too, if they are unvaccinated," said Dr. Avish Nagpal, doctor of infectious disease at Sanford. Nagpal said people are usually infectious four days before and four days after the rash develops. READ MORE STORIES BY RYAN MCNAMARA Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praises regenerative ag efforts at North Dakota event 4d ago North Dakota oil production still on the rise, boosting state tax revenues Oct 20 Court documents reveal new details in attempted murder case Oct 16 SD man arrested in Fargo on suspicion of attempted murder Oct 15 Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags HEALTH MEASLES MINNESOTA SANFORD HEALTH By Ryan McNamara Ryan McNamara joined WDAY as a reporter in late 2024. He is a native of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2024. His time as a Husky included copious amounts of time spent at "The Herb" reporting on Husky hockey, or at Halenbeck Hall calling Husky basketball. He also spent two summers with the Northwoods League's St. Cloud Rox. Along with his duties in news and sports, Ryan dons a headset for occasional play-by-play broadcasts for North Dakota and Minnesota high school sports. When he's away from the station, he's most likely lifting, finding time to golf, or taking in as much college basketball as possible, in order to complete the elusive perfect March Madness bracket. Twitter Instagram Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Minnesota Minnesota legislative leadership taking shape ahead of 2027 session 7h ago · By Alex Derosier / St. Paul Pioneer Press Minnesota Crookston library to host weather workshop 11h ago · By Staff reports Health Mayo Clinic team helped a music legend back to his feet and on stage 11h ago · By John Molseed ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads College UND football looking forward to a return to health during bye 2h ago · By Tom Miller College UND freshman Jayden Sonnenberg shows promise in victory over Minot State 2h ago · By Alex Faber Local Grand Forks offices closed Wednesday for Veterans Day 3h ago · By Staff reports Local UND, Vorbeck sign memorandum of understanding 4h ago · By Delaney Otto