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SALT LAKE CITY -- State health officials are investigating the case of a young adult female who visited Utah while ill with measles. At the same time, they are warning Utahns who have not been vaccinated against the disease that they may become infected.
The un-immunized woman arrived at the Salt Lake City International Airport on a Delta Air Lines flight from Paris on July 20 along with five family members.
The young woman then traveled with her family to central and southern Utah
"[They] went to Torrey, and then from there traveled down to Moab and spend a few days in Moab and surrounding areas like Arches National Park," explained Utah Department of Health educator Theron Jeppson.
The woman became ill on July 26 in Page, Ariz. Her father also become ill and is being tested for measles.
Since 2003, there has only been one case of the measles in Utah. The disease is caused by a virus and can be particularly harmful to infants and adults.
The overwhelming majority of Utahns have been immunized, but Jeppson says 3 percent of Utah school children haven't been.
"Symptoms usually start out with high fever, and then leads to cough," Jeppson said.
He says the best prevention for measles, of course, is vaccination.
For more information about measles or its vaccine, contact your local health department or the Immunization Hotline at 1-800-275-0659.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
