By: John Hult
BROOKINGS, S.D. (South Dakota Searchlight) – Visits to five total places in Brookings and Milbank by a Grant County man infected with measles prompted a notice from the South Dakota Department of Health on Wednesday.
All six of the measles cases reported in South Dakota in 2026 have been in Grant County. Sixteen cases were reported in 2025, the largest number coming from Lincoln County, with eight.
The dates and times for potential exposures to the Grant County man last week were:
- VFW Bar in Milbank on Jan. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Sly’s Steakhouse in Milbank on Jan. 30 from 7 to 10:30 p.m.
- Brookings High School (wrestling tournament), Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Larsen Ice Center (ice hockey game) in Brookings, Jan. 31 from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
- Pints & Quarts in Brookings, Jan. 31 from 6 to 10 p.m.
The news release from the Health Department urged anyone who may have been exposed to monitor for symptoms for the next 21 days.
Measles symptoms appear in two stages. The first could include a runny nose, cough, and a slight fever, red eyes sensitive to light and a rising fever. Between the third and seventh days of infection, a person with measles will have a temperature of 103-105 degrees and develop a red blotchy rash, typically beginning on the face before spreading to the entire body.
“As South Dakotans, it is our personal responsibility to help prevent the spread of measles in our state,” Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist, said in a news release. “Following DOH guidance after a known exposure to measles is crucial. Knowing your immune status, monitoring for symptoms, and staying home if you feel sick are critical steps to protect yourself, your family, and your community.”
People who are not immune to measles, or unsure of their status, should contact their medical provider, the notice says.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 588 confirmed measles cases nationwide in 2026 across 17 states. Those states include South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska.
There were 2,267 confirmed cases across the U.S. in 2025, according to the CDC.
Measles was considered fully eradicated in the U.S. in 2000. Falling measles vaccination rates in recent years have contributed to its return. Several areas of the U.S. now have vaccination rates below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
The kindergarten measles vaccination rate in South Dakota has tumbled from 97% to 90% in the past 10 years. Health officials blame disinformation about vaccine safety, which has contributed to a rise in parents claiming religious exemptions to avoid otherwise mandatory school immunizations.
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