Anti-vaccine groups step up work as Minnesota measles outbreak rages

Enlarge / HOPKINS, MN - APRIL, 27: Abdullahi Mohamud, 5, awaits returning to school after two of his siblings contracted the measles during the current outbreak. He received one dose of the vaccine in January and did not get sick. (credit: Getty | Courtney Perry)

After years of being the target of anti-vaccine groups, a vulnerable Somali immigrant community in Minnesota is now fighting a raging measles outbreak. It's the worst outbreak in the state in nearly 30 years, and this year's totals now exceed the total number of measles cases reported in the entire country in 2016.

Nevertheless, anti-vaccine groups have stepped up their effort to spread frightening falsehoods and dangerous misinformation about vaccines and measles, the Washington Post reports. In a recent forum, an anti-vaccine advocate handed out fliers that falsely alleged that safe and life-saving vaccines cause permanent brain damage and death.

Health professionals and religious leaders are uniting to fight back, promoting life-saving vaccinations and accurate health information during this holy month of Ramadan. They fear that with the religious festivities and gatherings, the outbreak will continue to boom. Health experts already estimate that 8,250 people have been exposed in daycares, hospitals, and schools.

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