Late last month, Mower County issued a new bird flu alert after dead birds were found in public parks, fueling online discussions about whether the public should be concerned about bird flu. Plus, we’re following myths circulating online in Somali communities that falsely linked vaccine ingredients to autism.
But first, Minnesota’s first recorded measles case of 2025 spurred conversation across the state.
Topic 1
Concerns rise following Minnesota’s first confirmed measles case this year
What’s happening:
A Hennepin County resident who flew to Washington, D.C., was confirmed to have measles. But health officials say the individual, who was vaccinated, wasn’t contagious while in Minnesota.
Online, some wondered if they should get their own measles immunity tested. Others emphasized that vaccination is important to protect people with weakened immune systems or who can’t receive vaccines.
Some doubted the MMR vaccine’s effectiveness if vaccinated people can be infected.
Additionally, some parents raised questions about what they should do if their child is under the age of 1 and asked about early immunization.
Why this matters:
Minnesota recorded 70 measles cases in 2024. Conversations surrounding vaccination show Minnesotans still have questions about how to best prevent measles and that vaccine hesitancy is still prevalent.
Helpful messaging to share right now:
The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against measles. While no vaccine can prevent all infections, two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective. Getting infected with measles when fully vaccinated is very rare, and those cases are more likely to be mild.
Most fully vaccinated adults are well protected against measles and do not need a booster.
New bird flu alert in Mower County sparks conversation about the public’s risk
What’s happening:
In late March, Mower County issued a bird flu alert after dead geese were found in a public park, leading to several local news articles.
In response to the news coverage, some social media users said they had seen dead birds in their area. Others doubted that they should be concerned about bird flu, claiming that something else may have killed the geese or that the articles were fearmongering.
Why this matters:
Most bird flu cases in people came from direct contact with sick birds or other animals.
Helpful messaging to share right now:
Most Minnesotans aren’t at risk of getting bird flu. But it’s very important to avoid dead birds or other animals so you don’t risk getting sick.
You can take other precautions against bird flu, like avoiding raw (unpasteurized) milk and not eating undercooked meat or eggs or feeding it to your pets.
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Suggested caption:
Bird flu is not a risk for most Minnesotans. But almost all human cases have come from direct contact with sick birds or other animals.
Avoid touching sick or dead birds or cattle, and don’t drink raw (unpasteurized) milk.
Online posts falsely link vaccine ingredients to autism
What’s happening:
In mid-March, Somali-language posts about a federal study looking at a previously debunked link between vaccines and autism drove online discussions. Conversations included the myth that vaccines are linked to autism in Somali children.
Some social media users showed concerns about the safety of vaccine ingredients. They falsely suggested that autism is caused by the aluminum in vaccines, leading to vitamin A deficiencies.
However, an article from a publication serving Minnesota’s immigrant communities called the study an “injustice” and said false claims about vaccines harmed Somali communities.
Why this matters:
While the posts cited above circulated in Somali, similar concerns often pop up in English-language conversations in Minnesota. False claims about vaccine ingredients may make people avoid the MMR vaccine and increase the risk of measles outbreaks.
Helpful messaging to share right now:
Vaccine ingredients are carefully tested to make sure they’re safe for everyone. Reach out to your health care provider if you have questions about vaccines.
Scientists are still studying what may cause autism, including environmental factors and genetics. But decades of study show that there is no link between vaccines and autism.
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Suggested caption:
All vaccine ingredients have been studied for decades to make sure they are safe for everyone. Every ingredient is there for a reason, including to give us better protection against dangerous diseases like measles.
How two Minnesota autism orgs combat vaccine myths
Public Good News (PGN) interviews community-based organizations to showcase their impact. PGN recently spoke with the Autism Society of Minnesota and the Somali Parents Autism Network about their work to inform communities about autism and the importance of vaccines. April is Autism Acceptance Month, so share this article to highlight the work of these local organizations and resources.
Public Good News is a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to community health. We partner with trusted local voices throughout the U.S. to distribute accurate, accessible, and inclusive health news in English and Spanish.
