### Measles Outbreak at Mall of America Raises Urgent Health Concerns

Health officials have issued an urgent warning following the detection of measles at the Mall of America in Minnesota, the largest shopping mall in the United States. A child from Dakota County, who visited the mall on May 24, tested positive for the highly infectious disease. The child, who is unvaccinated and has not traveled outside of Minnesota in the past month, was infectious during the visit, sparking concerns about potential exposure to others.

People who were at the Mall of America's theme park on May 24 between 5 pm and 9 pm may have been exposed to the virus. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has advised that symptoms of measles—including a blotchy rash, fever, and cough—could emerge as late as June 14 in those who were exposed. The department stressed that unvaccinated individuals are at the greatest risk and should monitor for signs of the disease.

In a related development, a second case has been confirmed in Minnesota involving an adult from Washington County whose vaccination status is unknown. This individual contracted the virus during domestic travel outside Minnesota and is currently recovering at home, alongside the child from Dakota County. These two cases bring Minnesota's total measles cases to four in 2025.

Jessica Hancock-Allen, the infectious disease division director at MDH, highlighted the risk posed by the recent case at the Mall of America. She noted the particular concern due to the 'no known source' of the child's infection, indicating potential undetected community spread. The MDH is collaborating with local health departments and other locations across the Twin Cities to notify those potentially exposed to the virus.

The rise in measles cases is consistent with a national trend. According to the CDC, there have been 1,088 confirmed measles cases across 33 states this year, resulting in at least three deaths. Seventy-eight percent of studied counties, representing 1,614 counties, reported decreases in vaccination rates for the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Most cases involve children under the age of 19.

The CDC has updated its advisory, cautioning that travelers are at risk of measles exposure in various settings, including airports, public transportation, and crowded events, if they are not fully vaccinated. The agency recommends that all travelers ensure they are vaccinated before international trips to prevent further spread of the disease.

A study found that vaccine uptake among U.S. children declined in eight out of ten counties last year, contributing to the resurgence of measles. Overall, vaccination rates fell by three percent, leaving only 91 percent of children vaccinated—a figure below the 95 percent needed to prevent measles outbreaks.

Measles was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000, following a successful vaccination campaign. However, the recent decline in vaccination rates has led to a troubling resurgence of the disease, endangering public health once more.