Home / Health / North Dakota Measles Surge: 11 Cases Erupt
North Dakota Measles Surge: 11 Cases Erupt
21 Feb
Summary
- North Dakota reports 11 measles cases, with two hospitalizations.
- Pembina County has nine cases; widespread exposure sites listed.
- Nine of eleven cases involve unvaccinated individuals.

North Dakota is currently experiencing a measles outbreak, with 11 confirmed cases reported as of February 21, 2026. Two of these cases have necessitated hospitalization, underscoring the severity of the illness. The outbreak is concentrated in Pembina County, which has recorded nine cases, and has led to the identification of 26 exposure sites across eastern North Dakota between January 30 and February 11, 2026.
Health officials are expressing significant concern due to the highly contagious nature of measles, noting that up to 90% of unvaccinated contacts can contract the disease. Of the 11 individuals infected, nine were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 982 measles cases across 26 states nationwide in 2026, with North Dakota having reported 36 cases in the previous year.




