(Pierre, SD) — Quick action from South Dakota health officials to stop a measles spike earlier this summer appears to be working. After 12 confirmed cases between May and June was a sharp jump from zero in recent years, the Department of Health ramped up contact tracing, vaccination checks, and public awareness. Since then, no new cases have been reported. DOH leaders say their rapid response likely prevented a much costlier outbreak. Doctors are reminding parents that measles is highly contagious and preventable with the MMR vaccine, and they’re urging those who haven’t gotten it to act now.
