Minnesota Officials: Measles Outbreak Is Over; 79 Sickened

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ Minnesota health officials say a measles outbreak that
sickened 79 people is over.

The outbreak that began April 11 was the largest measles outbreak in Minnesota
since 1990. It affected mostly unvaccinated children in Minnesota's
Somali-American community, where many parents avoided the vaccine because of
unfounded fears that it causes autism.

Twenty-two of those who contracted measles had to be hospitalized. More than
8,000 people were exposed to the measles and more than 500 were asked to stay
home from school, child care or work because they were potentially infectious.

The Minnesota Department of Health is declaring the outbreak over because there
have been no new cases for 42 days.

State Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger says the Health Department will continue
working with the Somali community to improve vaccination rates.