Public health officials in Utah are closely watching a potential measles situation in the southwestern part of the state. On Monday, June 2, our team at the Department of Health and Human Services was notified of an unvaccinated, out-of-state resident who traveled to southwestern Utah to visit family on May 26 and 27. This individual was infectious with measles. While in southwestern Utah, this person was out in the community and may have exposed others. In addition, we know they visited with unvaccinated individuals. While the risk to the general population continues to be low, we want to make the public aware of the increased risk of measles in this region and the increasing number of cases in surrounding states.
Our team has limited details about who was exposed, however we are working to provide information and protection to those we can identify.
We encourage anyone who has measles-like symptoms to stay at home and away from others for at least 4 days after the rash appears to limit the risk to others in their community. People who have symptoms should call medical facilities and clinics before they go in to make sure the clinic can protect other patients from potentially being exposed to the measles virus.
About measles
Measles signs and symptoms generally appear 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Common symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, red or watery eyes and tiny white spots that appear inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek (Koplik’s spots). A rash with small red spots generally begins 3-5 days after other signs of the illness starts.
Measles, a serious respiratory disease caused by a virus, is one of the most contagious diseases. It is not the same as chicken pox and often leads to hospitalizations and serious illness. It is so contagious, that if one person has it, 9 out of 10 people who are around that person will also become infected if they are not protected either by immunization or prior illness.
Staying safe
Due to the ongoing spread of measles cases throughout the United States, public health and medical providers recommend the MMR vaccine. It’s incredibly effective and has been one of the most powerful tools for reducing the spread of measles for many years. Most people who are protected from measles have that protection from a vaccine.
Due to the increase in measles spread across North and South America, we encourage Utahns to talk to a pharmacist or healthcare provider to verify their vaccination status prior to summer travel.
Ongoing information updates
The Department of Health and Human Services has created a measles response page at https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/. Currently, no one in Utah is reported to be infected with measles. The page will be updated if we become aware of any cases.
Public information in situations with higher risk
Media: This information may be attributed to us, but is more for your background.
Public health officials weigh many factors when we decide whether to notify the public about a situation. In low-risk situations, when we are able to address the issue in a more focused and isolated manner, broad public messaging is not always warranted. If a situation changes or more data suggests an increased risk, such as this case, we share additional information.
Public health officials aim to provide information to the public that is important to protect their health. This includes information that will allow them to modify their actions or understand risks around them. Until that point, people should continue to consult their health professionals about their vaccination status and get up to date on any appropriate vaccinations.