Officials Keeping Eye on Measles Cases; Number Growing in Pembina County
The state reported one case in Williams County, but that, for the moment, seems to be the extent of the spread in that region.
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services has a message given the rising number of measles cases in Pembina County: don’t panic.
“The majority of North Dakotans are vaccinated against the measles,” said Molly Howell of the department.
Still, it feels worth monitoring, as one case in Williams County seems to have gone nowhere – but Pembina is a different story, with that number rising from one to six in the span of just six days.
“You are contagious four days before you even have that rash or are showing signs and symptoms, so a lot of people don’t know they have measles and area out in the community, and that’s really when it ends up spreading,” said Howell.
Two of the infected had to be hospitalized.
The DHHS has done extensive contact tracing for the cases and has an updated list of possible exposure sites on their website, which includes two locations in Cass County.
They’re asking anyone who might have been exposed to keep an eye on yourself for symptoms – and, if you’re unvaccinated AND have been exposed, to quarantine if at all possible.
The DHHS also says that if you believe you have measles, call a healthcare provider before you travel to any hospital or healthcare facility.
Showing up to one of those locations unannounced while you are potentially contagious causes a much higher risk of community spread.
