Minnesota Measles Cases Hit 160, with Todd County Accounting for 85% of Total
Minnesota has confirmed 160 measles cases in 2026, marking the highest annual total since 1990. Todd County accounts for 136 of these cases, driven by low vaccination rates in Amish communities. The outbreak has strained local health systems, with Dr. Christine Albrecht of Lakewood Health System warning that the virus's high contagiousness could overwhelm their facilities if it spreads to public schools. While 143 cases are linked to a cluster starting in mid-September, only three patients have required hospitalization. Neighboring North Dakota has reported 38 cases, and Wisconsin recorded its first measles death since 1990.
