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| source : kfgo.com |
Let me set the scene: You’re at Mall of America, the mega-mall so big it could host 78 football games at once, grabbing a snack, taking the kids to the theme park, maybe trying to survive the LEGO store.
Now imagine this: somewhere in that crowd, a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease is quietly spreading.
Sound like a movie plot? Unfortunately, this just happened, and yes, it’s measles.
A Real-Life Wake-Up Call from America’s Largest Mall
According to health officials in Minnesota, an unvaccinated child from Dakota County visited the Mall of America on May 24, spending time at the mall’s indoor theme park while they were infectious with measles. (Just typing that makes my skin crawl a little.)
The kicker? The child hadn’t traveled out of state, meaning they caught the virus locally, which is a red flag for undetected community spread.
Anyone who was at the mall between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. that day may have been exposed.
And here's the catch: measles symptoms can take up to two weeks to show. If you were there or know someone who was, keep an eye out until at least June 14.
Why This Case Is So Concerning (and Not Just for Minnesotans)
Jessica Hancock-Allen, who leads the infectious disease division at the Minnesota Department of Health, put it bluntly:
“Anytime we confirm a case of measles unrelated to travel that has no known source, it is worrying.”
Translation?
This might not be a one-off. There could be more unvaccinated individuals quietly carrying the virus.
Even more troubling: another unrelated case just popped up in Washington County, involving an adult with unknown vaccination status who was exposed during domestic air travel.
Both individuals are recovering at home. But these cases bring Minnesota’s 2025 total to four, and counting.
What Makes Measles So Dangerous? Let’s Break It Down
I used to think of measles as some old-timey rash illness. But after digging into the numbers, here’s what made me rethink everything:
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Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on Earth.
One person can infect 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people they come into contact with. -
It lingers in the air for up to 2 hours after someone with measles has coughed or sneezed.
So even if you didn’t see someone sick, you could’ve still been exposed. -
It’s deadly.
So far in 2025, there have been over 1,000 cases and at least three deaths across 33 U.S. states.
75% of cases are in children under 19.
Misinformation, Hesitancy, and Why This Is Happening Now
Here’s the part that really made my jaw drop: The U.S. used to have measles completely eliminated by 2000, thanks to high vaccination coverage.
But recently?
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Vaccine rates have dropped to just 91% of children, below the 95% needed for herd immunity.
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8 out of 10 counties in the U.S. saw declining MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination rates last year.
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Misinformation and vaccine hesitancy are largely to blame.
Health experts at Johns Hopkins University warned that if this trend continues, measles could become common in the U.S. again.
Let that sink in.
What You Should Do (Even If You’re Not a Parent)
Whether you’re a parent, a frequent traveler, or just someone who visits crowded places (like, say, Target), here’s how to stay safe:
Check your MMR vaccination status
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Children need two doses:
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First at 12–15 months,
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Second at 4–6 years
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Babies 6–11 months need an early dose if traveling internationally
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Adults born after 1957 should confirm if they’ve had two doses or lab-confirmed immunity
Travelers: Don’t skip this step
The CDC is urging everyone traveling internationally, or to large domestic events, to get vaccinated.
They’ve specifically warned about airports, public transit, and tourist attractions as hotspots for transmission.
Talk to your doctor
Unsure about your vaccine history? Your doc can check your records or run a blood test for immunity.
Final Thoughts: This Isn’t About Fear, It’s About Prevention
I know we’re all a little pandemic-fatigued. Another health advisory might just sound like more noise.
But this isn’t about panic, it’s about prevention. And the solution is straightforward: vaccination.
Because here’s the thing:
The MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles. It’s safe, widely available, and free for most people in the U.S.
Measles doesn’t have to make a comeback.
But it’s knocking, and if we don’t act, it’ll keep walking through open doors, into malls, airports, schools, and homes.