Six Cases of Measles Recently Confirmed North of Howard, Winneshiek Counties

A half-dozen cases of measles have been confirmed in southeast Minnesota, just across the Iowa-Minnesota border. 

As of October 8th, the six cases of measles were all in Fillmore County, which is bordered to the south by Howard and Winneshiek counties in northeast Iowa.

Health officials say all cases are connected and are in unvaccinated individuals.

They’ve asked Fillmore County residents to continue watching for measles symptoms if you have not been vaccinated. Reach out to public health or your health care provider about testing if they have symptoms.”

Signs of measles include a cough, fever, runny nose, watery/red eyes, and a full body rash that works its way from head to toe. Please call public health or your health care provider to ask for instructions before going to be tested in a clinic or hospital because measles is contagious and can easily be spread through airborne transmission such as sneezing..

State records show Fillmore County has among the lowest vaccination rates in Minnesota.