Measles outbreak in Minnesota sickens dozens

CBS News reports:

An outbreak of measles in Minnesota has sickened more than 30 children in recent weeks, primarily in the state's large Somali-American community, where many parents avoid the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine because of unfounded fears that it causes autism.

"This has nothing to do with being Somali, it has everything to do with being unvaccinated," Kris Ehresmann, infectious disease director of the Minnesota Department of Health, told CBS Minnesota last week as the number of cases grew.

Somalis are just the latest example of a tight-knit community in which the highly contagious disease has gained a foothold in the U.S. in recent years.

"With Somalis, we know that it's a community that's been targeted for misinformation from the anti-vaccine community and so that's a bit distressing," she said.

Medical professionals and state health officials are working to contain the virus, but they expect more measles cases in coming weeks.

The great moments of cultural diversity.