South Dakota has confirmed its first measles case of 2025, marking the 33rd state to report an infection. The patient, an adult who recently traveled abroad, tested positive in Meade County, according to the South Dakota Department of Health. The national total has reached at least 1,088 cases this year.
The update comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges all Americans to get vaccinated before international travel, particularly to regions with ongoing outbreaks. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which is up to 97% effective after two doses, is recommended for all adults without immunity.
At least 62 U.S. travelers have contracted measles while flying this year. Health officials in South Dakota warned those who visited the Rapid City Medical Center Urgent Care on May 28 or Monument Health Sturgis Urgent Care on May 29 to monitor for symptoms, as the infected person visited both locations.
Measles symptoms appear in two stages: early signs include a runny nose, cough, and fever, followed by a high fever and a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the face to the body. Measles spreads easily through the air, especially among those unvaccinated or without prior infection.
State officials emphasize that the MMR vaccine offers the best protection. It’s typically administered to children at 12 to 15 months and again at ages 4-6. For international travel, children can receive the vaccine as early as 6 months.
For more information on measles and vaccination, visit the South Dakota Department of Health’s website.
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