SALT LAKE CITY — Measles Case in Utah

Health officials in Utah chose not to publicly announce a measles case reported last month, citing a low risk of transmission due to prior vaccination. The case first drew attention during a Summit County Board of Health meeting on Monday.

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that the affected individual had been vaccinated, which greatly reduced the chances of spreading the virus.

“This individual had previously been vaccinated and posed a low risk of infection to others,” the DHHS stated on Tuesday.

Timeline of Events

On May 19, an international traveler arrived in Salt Lake City from Canada, then drove to southern Idaho without stopping in Utah. Officials highlighted that this traveler did not make any stops in Utah before departing the state.

While in Idaho, the traveler developed symptoms and was diagnosed with measles. DHHS noted that all concerns regarding exposure were limited to Idaho. The traveler returned to Utah a few days later.

“On May 23, that same individual came back to Salt Lake, again didn’t make any stops but did get on board an airplane while symptomatic,” explained Derek Moss, Summit County Nursing Director.

Public Health Response

The DHHS indicated that public health authorities had cleared the individual to fly, as they were no longer in the infectious period at that time.

Salt Lake County health officials reached out to passengers on the flight, providing them with resources to minimize infection risks. So far, there have been no additional cases among those potentially exposed, but officials are still monitoring the situation.

“State and local health officials are maintaining communication with these individuals, and none has shown symptoms of measles. The typical incubation period is about 1-3 weeks,” DHHS shared in a statement.

Clarifications on Public Health Procedures

Addressing some misinformation following the case announcement, the DHHS clarified several points during the Summit County Board of Health meeting:

• Contrary to some reports, the traveler was not placed on a “do not board” list, as they were out of the infectious period when they boarded the flight.
• Although one of the vaccines received isn’t approved in the U.S., officials emphasized that any dose of an MMR vaccine significantly lowers the risk of measles transmission.

Why No Public Health Advisory?

When questioned about the decision not to issue a public advisory, the DHHS provided some insights:

“Public health officials consider various factors when determining whether to alert the public about a situation. In low-risk cases where we can handle the issue more effectively and specifically, widespread messaging may not always be necessary. We will release additional information if the situation evolves or if new data indicates an increased risk.”

Measles Prevention & Summer Travel Advisory

Despite the relatively low risk from this incident, measles remains extremely contagious. With cases rising across North and South America, health officials are advising Utah residents to check their vaccination status prior to summer travel.

“We recommend that Utahns consult with a pharmacist or healthcare provider to verify their vaccination status before traveling this summer,” said DHHS in their statement.

The MMR vaccine is among the most effective preventive measures against measles and is advised for anyone traveling to areas experiencing outbreaks.