Two more measles cases confirmed in North Dakota, majority in northeast

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO) – Two more cases of measles have been confirmed in North Dakota, bringing the year’s total to 19.

Majority of the cases are in northeastern North Dakota, with 17 in Pembina County and one in neighboring Walsh County.

One case is also confirmed in Williams County in the northwest corner of the state.

Department of Health and Human Services says six patients are under the age of five.

Eleven of the 19 people were not vaccinated. To date, four people have been hospitalized with measles in North Dakota.

The health department lists 26 eastern North Dakota sites where people may have been exposed to measles between Jan. 30 and Feb. 11.

Dr. Marc Nielsen, medical director of primary care at Altru Health System in Grand Forks, said having that many exposure sites with an extremely contagious disease like measles is “tremendously concerning.”

A total of 36 cases were reported in North Dakota last year.