Public Health Notice: Potential Measles Exposure in Rapid City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Tia Kafka, [email protected]

Public Health Notice: Potential Measles Exposure in Rapid City

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Health is notifying the public of a potential measles exposure at Rapid City Regional Airport in Rapid City, South Dakota. A Butte County resident with a confirmed measles infection was present at the airport while infectious.

Anyone who was at the location and time listed below may have been exposed to measles and should self-monitor for symptoms for 21 days following the exposure date (December 17 to December 31). People who are not immune to measles should contact their healthcare provider to discuss protective options, including vaccination or immune globulin, depending on eligibility and timing.

Rapid City Regional Airport
4550 Terminal Road, Rapid City, SD | December 10, 2025, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. MT

Measles symptoms appear in two stages. In the first stage, the individual may have a runny nose, cough, and a slight fever. The eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light while the fever consistently rises each day. The second stage begins on the third to seventh day of symptoms and consists of a temperature of 103-105°F, and a red blotchy rash lasting for four to seven days. The rash usually begins on the face and then spreads down to the trunk and out to the arms and legs.

"We are sharing this information to help individuals who may have been exposed take steps to protect their health," said Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist. "Any South Dakotan who lack immunity from vaccination or past infection can get the MMR vaccine to prevent measles infection and its complications."

The measles vaccine offers the best protection against infection and avoids the risks that come with infection. The following people are considered immune to measles:

• Born before 1957;
• Received 1 dose of measles vaccine (MMR) for an adult or a child 12 months to pre-school age;
• Received 2 doses of measles vaccine (MMR) for a school-aged child or an adult at higher risk of infection;
• Presence of measles antibodies shown by a lab test; and
• Previous measles infection shown by a lab test.

Measles vaccine (MMR) is typically given at 12-15 months of age. The second dose of MMR is given at 4-6 years of age. The vaccine is safe and highly effective at preventing measles infection, and two MMR doses usually produce lifelong immunity. If you are planning to travel internationally with children, MMR vaccines can be given to children starting at six months of age.

For more information about measles, visit the South Dakota Department of Health website for fact sheets, FAQs, and guidance for healthcare providers.

At the heart of the Department of Health's mission is a simple goal: to protect and improve the health of all South Dakotans. The department is entrusted with the vital task of promoting wellness, preventing disease, and ensuring access to quality healthcare for all South Dakotans.

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