(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Health officials have confirmed the first case of measles in Utah, with Dr. Leisha Nolen, the state epidemiologist, providing updates on an adult from Utah County diagnosed with the disease on June 20, 2025.
As of Tuesday, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services reported nine confirmed measles cases statewide. Most of the infections—seven—are concentrated in Utah County, while two are located in the southwestern region of the state.
The two latest infections from Utah County were recorded on Friday, contributing to the department’s count, along with two others logged on Tuesday. All four individuals were previously known to have been in contact with other infected persons and were under active monitoring for symptoms.
All nine affected individuals are unvaccinated. Symptoms of measles typically appear within one to two weeks after exposure. They can include a high fever exceeding 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a rash that usually begins at the hairline and spreads across the face after about four days of fever. Dr. Nolen emphasized the rash’s common trajectory.
According to state health officials, the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective when two doses are administered. Last Thursday, the department had reported two new cases, raising the total number of infections to five, which included one child. In these early cases, officials were already aware of the individuals’ exposure. Among the first five, two were pregnant, and two required hospitalization but have since been released.
Expecting mothers are encouraged to receive the vaccine prior to becoming pregnant to safeguard both their health and that of their child during pregnancy. Pregnant individuals cannot receive the vaccine and are at increased risk for complications, including miscarriages and stillbirth, if they contract measles.
Dr. Nolen urged unvaccinated individuals to consult their healthcare providers about vaccination, noting that adult vaccinations can help protect infants who are not yet eligible for the vaccine.
The rate of unvaccinated individuals is notably higher in southern Utah compared to other parts of the state, according to Nolen.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 1,267 confirmed measles cases and 27 outbreaks as of Tuesday, with three fatalities attributed to the disease. In all of 2024, there were 285 confirmed cases across the United States.
While measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, current trends show the disease is resurging, driven by declining MMR vaccination rates among kindergarteners, which have fallen below the 95% coverage target. The CDC notes that global measles activity is also on the rise. In the 2024-25 school year, about 10% of kindergarteners in Utah lacked proper documentation of MMR vaccination or had exemptions.
