Minn. Measles Outbreak Tied to Vaccine Fears (MMWR) Most cases were in U.S.-born children of Somali descent

The ongoing measles epidemic in Minnesota, which had 65 confirmed cases as of late May, is tied to undervaccinated individuals fearful of autism from the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, public health officials reported in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Some 95% of all cases were in unvaccinated persons, including more than three-quarters in children at least 12 months old, and 88% were among U.S. born children of Somali decent. Median patient age was 21 months, though cases ranged from persons ages 3 months to 49 years. Measles was confirmed in five schools, 12 child care centers, and three healthcare facilities, with an estimated 8,250 people exposed. The report said that culturally appropriate outreach was extended to the community, as well as an accelerated vaccination schedule for all Somali children and all children in Hennepin County, which includes the city of Minneapolis. https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/generalinfectiousdisease/66612?xid=nl_mpt_special_reports_2017-07-19%20&uun=g721819d0r5883165u