Nationwide measles outbreak raises concerns for the Beehive State
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A spike in measles cases nationwide is raising concerns about the possibility of an outbreak in Utah.
According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), 17 states have reported 97 measles cases as of March 28, 2024. Overall in 2023, there were only 58 cases nationwide, making for a noticeable and concerning rise in cases.
While many states reporting positive cases are a little far from home — including Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey and New York — some of Utah’s neighbors have reported cases, the closest being Arizona. There has yet to be a positive case reported in Utah, but health officials are advising everyone to check their immunizations and vaccinations, saying measles is one of the most contagious respiratory diseases.
“It is so contagious that if one person has it, nine out of 10 people who are around that person will also become infected if they are not protected either by immunization or prior illness,” Utah DHHS said via press release.
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Measles has been a concern in the United States since 1912. There was an average of 6,000 measles-related deaths reported per year in its first decade. A vaccine was created to fight off the disease in the 1960s and has since been used to drastically reduce the disease rates.
The disease typically affects young children, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system. Its symptoms — including a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat — can start to appear within two weeks of infection. According to DHHS, the rash typically starts at the face and then spreads and spreads down the body. The disease is most contagious up to four days before and up to four days after the rash appears.
DHHS officials said measles can cause severe illness and complication, including diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia, brain infection, seizures and even death. Utah State epidemiologist with DHHS Leisha Nolen said the vaccine has saved millions of lives around the world, preventing significant suffering.
“The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Decades of careful research has shown the benefits of being vaccinated against measles far outweigh the risks the vaccine may pose,” said Nolen. “Babies may have a mild fever after vaccination and adults often have a sore arm. More serious reactions, like severe allergic responses, are extremely rare and can be treated.”
Utahns can learn how to request immunization records by visiting the DHHS website here or by talking to a healthcare provider. Those planning on out-of-state travel in particular should make sure they are protected from measles infection, according to DHHS.
If you suspect you may have measles, Utah health officials say you should call a healthcare provider for instructions before arriving to be seen.
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