Utah’s first measles case reported in Utah County

SALT LAKE CITY – Public health officials reported the first case of measles in Utah Friday, and urged those who may have come in contact to watch closely for symptoms.

In a release, the Utah Department of Health & Human Services said it has “identified an adult from Utah County who has been diagnosed with measles.”

On Friday, Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist, said the person is between 20 and 40 years old, but was not identified.

The DHHS said the person was unvaccinated, “and has no out-of-state exposures, which indicates the infection was transmitted within Utah.”

The release said the department has not identified anybody else with measles at the time of publication.

The department said during their “infectious period but prior to diagnosis,” the person visited “several” public places. This included the Timpanogos Regional Emergency Room on June 14 between 2:14 p.m. and 7:02 p.m., and the Parkway Health Center in Orem on June 13, but no specific time was immediately known.

Nolen said the individual visited healthcare providers due to measles symptoms and was advised to stay home to quarantine, which they reportedly did following their diagnosis.

“People who were at these sites at the same time or two hours after this person could have been exposed to measles,” the DHHS said.

Health officials urged those who crossed paths with the infected Utah County resident, especially those who are unvaccinated, to watch for symptoms.

“We do have to suspect there are additional measles cases in Utah,” Nolen said, noting the affected individual had not traveled outside of the state, pointing to the disease originating from Utah.

“We have not been able to identify how that happened, so certainly there is some person who was able to transmit the virus to this individual. So we do think there are additional cases,” Nolen said.

Measles symptoms

The department said measles symptoms appear seven 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,” the department said. “A rash will usually appear after 4 days of fever.”

The rash, usually showing up first at the hairline then spreading down a person’s body, was described as one of the main identifying signs of measles, Nolen said.

The department noted that a person with measles can spread the disease before symptoms occur. Health officials urged those who develop symptoms to steer clear of others and call their healthcare provider.

“Call first before you go to a clinic or hospital to prevent other people from exposure,” the department said.

According to the DHHS, over “90% of Utahns have been vaccinated against measles and are highly protected against infection.” The department noted that infants under one year old cannot get the vaccine, meaning they are not protected from measles.

Nolen recommended people speak with their clinicians to track down what vaccines they have, including the option to get an antibody test that will show if antibodies are present. Nolen noted there is no danger in having additional doses of the vaccination.

It is recommended that people get two doses of the vaccine to make sure they are fully protected, Nolen said.

“Public health in Utah wants to reassure the community that immediate action is being taken to contain the situation,” the department said. “We encourage those who are not vaccinated to talk to their doctor about receiving the vaccine.”

Nolen said during the press conference that the last case of measles in Utah occurred two years ago, “in an international traveler.”

For more information on measles, click here.

Related: Utah public health officials report new potential measles exposure