Measles Outbreak in Utah Appears to Be Declining

SALT LAKE CITY — A measles outbreak affecting over 700 residents in Utah over the past year seems to be subsiding, with only six new reported cases in the last three weeks.

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services referred to the latest numbers as “great news,” noting that the weekly infection rate has significantly dropped from its peak in March, when 58 cases were recorded in a single week.

Although cases peaked in March, fewer than 10 new cases have been reported weekly since early May. The outbreak primarily impacted southwestern Utah but reached every local health department in the state.

Health officials urged Utah residents to remain vigilant, highlighting that the best defense against measles is the MMR vaccine, which boasts a 97% effectiveness after two doses. They noted that a substantial 86% of those infected were unvaccinated.

The outbreak started in June 2025, leading to 707 confirmed cases, most of whom were children in school.

“I think we’re in a good place right now, but we’re not in the perfect place,” remarked State Epidemiologist Leisha Nolen. “What we truly want is to see no measles at all. This is something that people can take control of; they have the option to protect themselves.”

She attributed the decline in cases to various factors like increased vaccinations, natural immunity, and the seasonal break from school, which generally leads to lower transmission.

“School certainly brings people together. It was a good way to spread the infection, so having kids out of those close settings has been beneficial,” she explained.

While the health department remains hopeful this is the end of the outbreak, they are prepared for potential case increases when school resumes, focusing on vaccination outreach and accessibility.

The measles vaccine can offer protection even a few days after exposure, and Nolen stressed the importance of getting vaccinated before school starts.

Notably, 27,000 more Utahns were vaccinated this year compared to last, but Nolen mentioned this number isn’t sufficient to cover the entire population.

Wastewater analysis indicates there may still be unreported measles cases in the community. Nolen noted that some individuals have been hesitant to come forward, but data suggest a decline in spread based on wastewater statistics.

Throughout the outbreak, 56 Utahns were hospitalized due to measles, though none lost their lives. Many were admitted because of dehydration from severe nausea and vomiting, or respiratory issues. Some were hospitalized for complications like appendicitis or liver inflammation related to measles.

About a third of those infected visited emergency rooms, though most did not require hospitalization. Nolen emphasized that measles is a severe disease that can have long-lasting effects, including impaired immune response, which might lead to more severe illness from common infections later.

“We are concerned that individuals may experience more severe sickness than typical due to this,” she warned.

According to the state epidemiologist, roughly one in every 10,000 cases can result in potentially fatal brain inflammation, a long-term concern that may arise about a decade after the outbreak.

Currently, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services has no specific exposure sites but advises residents to monitor for symptoms.