Todd County Measles Cluster Hits 57 as Minnesota Reaches 36-Year High

Key points

• Minnesota reports 80 confirmed measles cases in 2026, the highest since 1990.
• Todd County, central Minnesota, has 57 cases since mid-September, the largest cluster in the state.
• Only 61% of Todd County children born in 2023 received at least one MMR dose, compared to 81% statewide.
• Nearly 15% of kindergartners in the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle school district have nonmedical exemptions for the MMR vaccine.
• All but two of Minnesota’s 80 cases involve individuals who have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine.
• Todd County health officials cite distrust of government, social media misinformation, and post-COVID vaccine hesitancy as primary drivers of low vaccination rates.

Background

This outbreak follows a broader national trend; our October 10 archive noted Minnesota had 24 cases earlier in the year, while Kentucky and Michigan also reported significant clusters in late October. The current surge in Todd County represents a sharp escalation from those earlier figures, aligning with a U.S. total exceeding 4,500 cases in 2026.

How outlets are covering it

MPR News emphasizes local community dynamics, highlighting how post-COVID distrust and social media misinformation have fueled vaccine hesitancy in Todd County. It also addresses the role of Amish and immigrant communities, noting that while some Amish families decline vaccines, officials caution against blaming any single group, as low vaccination rates are widespread across the county. 5 Eyewitness News focuses on the statistical severity, stressing that 78 of the 80 cases involve unvaccinated individuals and urging immediate vaccination. While MPR details the social and political roots of the outbreak, 5 Eyewitness News prioritizes the public health imperative and the efficacy of the MMR vaccine.

Why it matters

The resurgence of measles in Minnesota underscores the fragility of herd immunity in communities with low vaccination rates. With the virus highly contagious and capable of lingering in the air for up to two hours, unvaccinated individuals, pregnant women, and immunocompromised residents face significant health risks. The outbreak also highlights the long-term consequences of vaccine hesitancy, as health providers report increased hospitalizations and complications among unvaccinated children.

What to watch

Health officials expect the virus to continue circulating in Todd County for weeks or months. Clinics are implementing precautions to protect at-risk patients, and providers are actively countering misinformation. Parents are advised to verify their vaccination status and seek early MMR doses for infants during the outbreak. Statewide, health authorities are urging all Minnesotans to ensure they are up to date on MMR vaccinations to prevent further spread.