Measles Positive In Grand Forks, More Exposure In Williams Co

Grand Forks County is the third county in North Dakota affected by measles; North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) notes two confirmed cases in that county.

The cases in Grand Forks County are connected to international travel.

Since May 2nd, confirmed instances of measles in the state have climbed to 21. This number covers two further cases in Grand Forks County, four in Cass County, and two in Williams County. One has been hospitalized thus far.

Every case that has been documented involves unvaccinated people. The newly reported cases in Williams and Cass counties were connected to known measles contacts.

For those residing in or visiting Williams County, HHS still advises early and accelerated MMR vaccination due to confirmed community transmission in that county.

Currently, Cass or Grand Forks counties do not recommend early vaccinations. There is no indication of community spread in those places.

One person with the disease was flying into Williston and contagious.

The following places might have exposed the public:

Locations in Williams County for exposure:

• Wednesday, May 14 United Flight UA5293 from Denver, Colo. (departure at 7:41 a.m. MDT) to Williston, N.D. (arrival at 10:22 a.m. CDT)
• Williston Basin International Airport (14127 Jensen Lane, Williston, ND)

Working with local partners, the Colorado Department of Health, and the CDC Quarantine Station, HHS is trying to find and inform anybody who might have been exposed.

Vaccinated or born before 1957, exposed people do not have to quarantine but should still keep an eye on symptoms for 21 days following contact.

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Given that most North Dakotans have had vaccinations, the overall risk to the vaccinated public is minimal.