UPDATE: Two cases of measles confirmed in Grand Forks Co.

UPDATE – North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed two cases in Grand Forks County linked to international travel.

There have been 21 cases of the virus confirmed since May 2, all of which were in people who are unvaccinated. There have been 13 cases in Williams County, six in Cass County and two in Grand Forks County. Health officials say one person with the virus has been hospitalized.

Because of confirmed community transmission in Williams County, HHS recommends early and accelerated measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations for people living or traveling there.

NORTH DAKOTA – North Dakota Health and Human Services says a person with measles was contagious on a United flight from Denver to Williston.

Health officials say a person with the virus was on the flight that landed at Williston Basin International Airport May 14.

They say anyone who was on the flight or at the Williston airport that day should monitor for symptoms for three weeks.

HHS says that’s especially important for people who have not received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

On Thursday, HHS confirmed two new cases of measles in Cass County and two in Williams County.

Health officials say they are linked to contact with known measles cases. North Dakota has 17 confirmed cases of the virus including 13 in Williams County and four in Cass County.

North Dakota’s first confirmed case since 2011 was announced May 2 in an unvaccinated child in Williams County who health officials believe contracted the virus from “an out-of-state visitor”.

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services says early vaccination is not recommended in Cass County and there is no evidence of community spread there.

Measles symptoms often include: