- Utah reports two more measles cases, totaling five cases in unvaccinated individuals including two pregnant women.
- State epidemiologist Leisha Nolen expressed concern that two of those five individuals were hospitalized, although all are improving.
- Ninety percent of Utahns are vaccinated. Nolen encouraged those who are not, especially women who plan to get pregnant, to consider vaccination.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah State Epidemiologist Leisha Nolen announced Thursday that the state has identified two additional measles cases, bringing the total to five — two of whom are pregnant women.
She also said health officials are concerned that the symptoms of some of these five individuals worsened, leading two of them to have overnight hospital stays, although at this point, each is improving and doing well.
"That is very concerning to us, we certainly want to have as minimal infections as we can here in Utah, and as mild," she said.
One of the newly identified individuals with measles is a minor and the other is an adult, according to a news release from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. One person is a Utah County resident and the other is from the southwest health district.
Nolen said the additional cases were expected because both were from people who were exposed, and they anticipate more measles cases to be identified in the coming weeks because more unvaccinated individuals have been exposed. Each of the five cases is in people who are not vaccinated, Nolen said.
Following the cases in two pregnant women, Nolen encouraged women who are considering getting pregnant to get the measles vaccine, which is not given to women who are already pregnant, to eliminate one possible stress in pregnancy.
"People who are pregnant, if they get measles they're much more likely to get severe infections, much more likely to go to the hospital, and unfortunately they're much more likely to have premature birth or even loose the baby so we certainly want to encourage people to protect themselves and their unborn infants," she said.
Thursday's additions to the measles count in the state follow closely on the heels of two other measles diagnoses on Tuesday, also from Utah County and the southwest health district.
Health officials on Tuesday said during the first person's "infectious period but prior to diagnosis," the person visited "several" public places. This included the Timpanogos Regional Emergency Room on June 14 between 2:14 p.m. and 7:02 p.m., and the Parkway Health Center in Orem on June 13, though no specific time was given. Nolen said there are currently no other locations identified where measles could have spread to the public.
She said with 90% of Utahns protected by a vaccine, there is "not a need for significant concern" in Utah. Those who have been vaccinated, she said, will have a milder infection, get better faster, and not pass the disease to others around them. She encouraged Utahns who are not vaccinated to discuss the risks of not vaccinating against measles with their doctors.
Children under the age of 1 are not eligible for vaccination, so she said the best protection for them is to have all the adults around them vaccinated. She said the current research shows two vaccinations at ages 1 and 4, or later, give protection from measles for the rest of someone's life.
Nolen encouraged people who are sick to stay home, not only to prevent the spread of measles but other illnesses.
"This is not the COVID pandemic, most of us are protected, which is very different … this is an infection that has been around forever, so we are in a very different situation," Nolen said.
She did say health officials are specifically concerned about the southwestern part of Utah, where schools report lower vaccination rates, which could lead to rapid spread if there is exposure at a school.
Early stages of measles symptoms — high fever, cough, runny nose or red eyes — usually appear seven to 14 days after exposure. A rash on the hairline typically appears after four days of fever.
Anyone who has been exposed to measles or is showing symptoms should call a health care provider first before visiting a clinic to prevent spreading the disease to others, the department said.
"Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious illness, especially in young children, pregnant women and people who have weakened immune systems," the health department said.
