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SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake County Health Department on Thursday announced a resident has tested positive for measles after traveling outside the country, but the public is at minimal risk of illness.
The Salt Lake County resident was not vaccinated against the disease. It is the first case of measles in the state since 2017.
"Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease," said Angela Dunn, the executive director of the county health department. "The measles vaccine is safe and effective: two doses provide about 97% protection and one dose is about 93% effective."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children receive one dose of the vaccine between 12-15 months of age, and a second dose between ages 4 and 6. Dunn said adults should consult with health care providers to see if they need to receive the vaccine.
"While over 90% of children in Utah schools and child care facilities are adequately vaccinated, there are still people in our community who are not protected," Dunn said. "Being fully vaccinated against measles does more than just protect the person who receives the vaccination; it also protects their family and friends, including children who may be too young to be vaccinated, and it helps limit the spread of disease in the community.
The health department said exposures to the infected person were limited to health care settings and family members. Contact tracers have notified people who may have been exposed. Even if exposed, people do not need to take any action against measles as long as they have been vaccinated, health officials said.
Symptoms of measles include a fever of 101 degrees or higher, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash that begins on the face and spreads to cover the body.
Measles is spread primarily through respiratory droplets and is highly contagious. Although it was declared eradicated in the U.S. more than 20 years ago, travel-acquired cases can still cause outbreaks in the U.S.
