Note: From this point forward, beginning Wednesday, July 2, DHHS will only send out a weekly report that includes all new cases that have been reported since our last communication. Those reports will be sent by 11 a.m. each Wednesday.
If you’d like to stay up-to-date on cases as they are reported, the website https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/ will be updated with new case counts by 3 p.m. each weekday.
Public health officials in Utah have become aware of two additional Utah residents diagnosed with measles. They are unvaccinated and linked to previously diagnosed individuals. This brings Utah’s total of diagnosed cases to 5.
One of the newly identified individuals with measles is a minor, while the other is an adult. One person is a Utah County resident; the other is from the southwest health district. Public health investigations are ongoing to identify any locations where possible exposures may have occurred.
At this time, 2 of the 5 Utahns who have been diagnosed with measles had to be hospitalized due to complications from measles. They have since been released.
Among the 5 positive cases that have been reported, 2 of the people diagnosed with measles in Utah are unvaccinated, pregnant Utahns. Women who become infected with measles during their pregnancy are at high risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or giving birth to a child who will experience serious medical problems. A pregnant woman is also much more likely to be hospitalized because of severe measles.
The department recommends that if you are planning to become pregnant, get vaccinated before you get pregnant to protect yourself and your baby. You can’t get the MMR vaccine while you are pregnant. If you get the MMR vaccine, wait at least 4 weeks after you get your shot before you try to get pregnant.
For future updates on measles in Utah or to learn more about measles, visit https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/.
Measles symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure. People who have a high fever (higher than 102.2°F or 39°C) and a cough, runny nose, or red eyes may have early stages of measles. A rash typically appears after 4 days of fever.
If you have been exposed to measles and develop symptoms, you should stay away from others and call your healthcare provider. Call first before you go to a clinic or hospital to prevent other people from exposure.
The most effective prevention against the measles is vaccination. Public health officials in Utah want to reassure the community that immediate action is being taken to contain the situation. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective against measles when the person gets 2 doses.
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