State health officials say they're investigating a case of measles that recently sent a Minneapolis infant to the hospital.

Authorities said they are notifying people who may have come in contact with the child at Hennepin County Medical Center or at other specific settings.

But they said the case poses little risk to the public because of the high rate of measles vaccination in Minnesota. "The greatest risk is to those who may have been exposed to the child and have not been vaccinated," the state Health Department said.

It's the seventh time in five years that Minnesota has had a reported case of measles, a potentially deadly disease that can spread easily from person to person, according to the department.

The child, who was not identified, is now recovering.

"This case reminds us of the importance of getting vaccinated for diseases, such as measles, which can be prevented with vaccines," said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist.

Officials said the infant, who was too young to be vaccinated, became ill in late February and was probably infectious from Feb. 22 to March 2. They're unsure where the child may have been exposed, because the family recently spent time in Chicago and Indiana before moving to Minneapolis. Typically, children get the measles vaccine when they're about 1 year old and again between the ages of 4 and 6.

Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, watery eyes and a rash that typically begins at the hairline and moves to the face, neck and body, according to the Health Department. The rash usually lasts five to six days.

In general, the first symptom, fever, occurs eight to 12 days after exposure.

Measles was once nearly eradicated in both the United States and Europe, but the disease resurfaced in England and Europe after vaccination rates dropped, health officials said.

Maura Lerner • 612-673-7384