North Dakota Officials Announce Measles Update and Mental Health Resource Expansion

The Fargo City Board of Health meeting on July 11, 2025, focused on significant updates regarding mental health resources and the recent measles outbreak in the region.

Holly, a representative from the Fargo Cass Public Health, announced the successful launch of a regional mental health platform called Credible Mind. This initiative aims to consolidate mental health and well-being resources for communities in Cass, Ransom, Sergeant Richland, and Steele County into a single accessible platform. Currently, the platform has approximately 958 users, and efforts to promote it continue through social media and community presentations. Holly expressed optimism about the platform's reach and encouraged further engagement from the community.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing measles situation in North Dakota. Epidemiologist Brett Nissmeyer reported that the state has recorded 35 measles cases this year, with 7 cases in Cass County. However, as of July 4, the outbreak in Cass County has concluded, with no new cases reported since that date. A new case was identified in Williams County, believed to be linked to out-of-state travel rather than the local outbreak.

Fargo Cass Public Health responded to the outbreak by hosting two vaccination clinics, where 46 individuals received their MMR vaccinations. The health department coordinated with local healthcare providers to ensure proper testing and communication regarding measles cases, emphasizing a collaborative approach to public health.

The meeting concluded with a discussion about the measles situation in neighboring Minnesota, which has reported five cases this year, all in the Twin Cities area. The board members expressed hope that the region would see no further measles cases in the future.