Measles outbreak

Utah measles outbreak response

Number of Utah residents who have been diagnosed with measles in this outbreak: 358


Number of Utah residents with measles reported to public health in the last 3 weeks: 78

Number of Utah residents who have been diagnosed with measles in this outbreak: 358

Number of Utah residents with measles reported to public health in the last 3 weeks: 78

Counts are updated every Tuesday by 3:00 PM, but may be updated more frequently if measles is confirmed in a new health jurisdiction.
Last updated March 3, 2026.

Counts are updated every Tuesday by 3:00 PM, but may be updated more frequently if measles is confirmed in a new health jurisdiction.
Last updated March 3, 2026.

Updated every weekday by 3:00 PM.
Last updated September 15, 2025.

Utahns diagnosed with measles by local health district

Click this image for more info about measles cases in Utah.
Click here to see the Utah measles dashboard

Wastewater dashboard

When measles is detected in wastewater it means one or more people in or traveling through that area has been infected with measles and is shedding the virus. Wastewater test results can tell us when the measles virus is in the wastewater, but the results don’t tell us how many people in the area are shedding the virus. It could be one person, or it could be multiple people.

Click this image for more info on measles detections in Utah wastewater.
Click here to see the wastewater dashboard

Exposure locations

Exposure locations are listed by county below. If you would like to see the exposure locations in a certain county, click that county’s name and the exposure locations will appear as a drop-down list.

If you were at any of these locations during the time period listed, watch for measles-like symptoms and tap the button below to fill out an anonymous survey for information and next steps based on your risk for getting measles. The survey is available in both English and Spanish.

Tap here to take the survey

Note: The list below includes the exposure locations that have been reported to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Because measles is spreading in Utah, there may be other exposures or exposure locations that we are unaware of and are not listed here. As soon as a new exposure location is confirmed, we add it to the list below. The list is updated throughout the week. If you have questions about any of the exposure locations, contact your local health department.

Even if you have not had a confirmed exposure, if you think you may have been around someone with measles, watch for measles symptoms until 21 days have passed since you were around that person.

Exposure locations by county

Last updated March 7, 2026

Exposure locations are listed by county below. If you would like to see the exposure locations in a certain county, click that county’s name and the exposure locations will appear as a drop-down list.

If you were at any of these locations during the time period listed, watch for measles-like symptoms and click the button below to fill out an anonymous survey for information and next steps based on your risk for getting measles. The survey is available in both English and Spanish.

Click here to take the survey

Note: The list below includes the exposure locations that have been reported to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Because measles is spreading in Utah, there may be other exposures or exposure locations that we are unaware of and are not listed here. As soon as a new exposure location is confirmed, we add it to the list below. The list is updated throughout the week. If you have questions about any of the exposure locations, contact your local health department.

Even if you have not had a confirmed exposure, if you think you may have been around someone with measles, watch for measles symptoms until 21 days have passed since you were around that person.

Exposure locations by county

Last updated March 7, 2026

Tap here for resources for healthcare providers and local health departments

Utah measles dashboard

A map of Utah Local Health Districts displaying measles case rates per 100,000 people as of February 3, 2026. The highest rate is 163 cases per 100,000 in the Southwestern Utah region (Cedar City/St. George area), shaded dark purple. The Utah County area shows a rate of 35, the Salt Lake County area shows 24, and the Wasatch County area shows 9, all shaded in shades of purple indicating higher prevalence. Rates between 5–10 are seen in the Central Utah area (5), shaded in medium purple. Rates between 0.1–5 are seen in the Bear River area (4), Southeastern Utah (3), San Juan (3), Weber-Morgan (2), Davis (2), and Summit (1) areas. Western and Northeastern regions, including Tooele (0) and Tri-County/Vernal (0), report a rate of 0.
Tap here to see the Utah measles dashboard
Click here for resources for healthcare providers and local health departments

Wastewater dashboard

Tap here to see the wastewater dashboard
When measles is detected in wastewater it means one or more people in or traveling through that area has been infected with measles and is shedding the virus. Wastewater test results can tell us when the measles virus is in the wastewater, but the results don’t tell us how many people in the area are shedding the virus. It could be one person, or it could be multiple people.

Information about measles in Utah

As cases are reported, public health officials in Utah investigate to identify individuals who are at risk of infection and any locations where possible exposures may have occurred. These exposure locations can be found in the table above.

Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure. People who have a high fever (101°F (38.3°C) or higher) and a cough, runny nose, or red eyes may have early stages of measles. A rash will usually appear after 4 days of fever. If you do develop symptoms you should stay away from other people and call your healthcare provider. Call first before you go to a clinic or hospital to prevent other people from exposure.

Information about measles in states surrounding Utah

Should your child get a measles vaccine early because measles is spreading in Utah?

We strongly encourage parents to talk to their healthcare provider about the MMR vaccine for their children, even if they have not been exposed to someone with measles.

Should your infant younger than 12 months old get an early, extra dose?

Because there has been recent evidence of undetected community spread in many parts of Utah, we suggest you talk to a healthcare provider about giving your infant an early, extra dose of the MMR vaccine if they are between 6 and 12 months old. While the risk of getting measles in Utah is still low, there is a clear risk at this time.

Infants who are between 6 to 12 months old should also get an early, extra dose if they are traveling internationally, on domestic flights, or to areas in the U.S. where measles is actively spreading. Talk to your child’s doctor about getting an early dose if you plan to travel to any of these areas. Any infant who gets a dose before 12 months old will need to get 2 later doses in accordance with the standard vaccination schedule at 12–15 months and then a dose at 4–6 years.

Should your child 12 months or older get their second dose before the age of 4?

Young children can get their second MMR dose before 4 years old. The protection after 1 dose is very good. However, it is completely appropriate and fully protective to get your child their second dose before the age of 4 as long as they are older than 1 year and it has been at least 28 days since their first dose. Parents who are concerned should discuss this option with their doctor.

Do you need to get a booster shot because measles is spreading in Utah?

Not if you are up-to-date with your measles vaccinations. Most people born after 1957 need 2 doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected against measles.

Talk to a healthcare provider about getting another dose of the MMR vaccine if you were born after 1957 or vaccinated before 1968. The majority of people born before 1957 are likely to have been infected with measles and therefore are presumed to be protected. Some people who were vaccinated between the years 1963 and 1967 got a less effective vaccine, which means they can still get measles. Anyone who got this vaccine is considered unvaccinated. Talk to your doctor about whether you should get revaccinated if you were vaccinated between 1963 and 1967.

We recommend everyone make sure you are protected against measles.

You are considered to be protected against measles if at least 1 of the following applies to you:

  • You have a written record of your vaccine history and it shows you are up-to-date on the number of doses you need for your age.
    • You are considered up-to-date with 1 dose of MMR vaccine if you are:
      • Preschool aged (older than 12 months but not in kindergarten yet).
      • An adult who is NOT in high school, college, or another post-high school educational institution, NOT a healthcare worker, and NOT traveling internationally or to a place with an active measles travel advisory.
      • Age 6 to 12 months AND traveling internationally, on domestic flights, or to areas in the U.S. where measles is actively spreading.
    • You are considered up-to date with 2 doses of MMR vaccine (separated by 28 days) if you are:
      • In kindergarten through grade 12.
      • Attending college or another post-high school educational institution.
      • A healthcare worker.
      • Older than 12 months AND traveling internationally, on domestic flights, or to areas in the U.S. where measles is actively spreading.
  • You have lab results that show enough measles antibodies in your blood (laboratory evidence of immunity).
  • You have lab results that show you have had a measles infection in the past.
    • Verbal history of measles does not count.
  • You were born before 1957 (people born before 1957 most likely had measles in the past and are considered immune).

Talk to a doctor if you have questions about whether you are protected against measles.

Measles overview

A toddler with a significant red rash on their face

Symptoms

  • High fever: Typically 101°F (38.3°C) or higher with:
    • Cough
    • Runny nose
    • Red, watery eyes
    • Rash (Measles rash usually begins as flat red spots on the face at the hairline. The spots then spread down to the neck, belly, arms, legs, and feet.)

Complications

  • Pneumonia (a serious lung infection)
  • Hospitalization
  • Encephalitis or brain swelling (can cause cognitive disability, deafness, and seizures)
  • Complications during pregnancy, such as the risk of premature labor (having your baby early), miscarriage, and your baby having a low birth weight
  • Seizures
  • Weakened immune system that can last weeks to years (increases the risk of bacterial infection and infection from other diseases)
  • Death

When symptoms usually start (onset)

The first symptoms of measles start between 1 and 3 weeks after you are infected with the virus. Most people have symptoms at about 2 weeks.

How long it lasts (duration)

The first symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes) last for about 2 to 4 days but can be as short as 1 day or as long as 8 days.

The rash normally lasts 5 to 7 days and begins about 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms start.

Causes

Measles virus

How to prevent measles

  • 2 doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella), or
  • 2 doses of the MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella)

Treatment

There's no specific treatment for a measles infection once it occurs. Treatment includes providing comfort measures to relieve symptoms, such as rest, and treating or preventing complications.

Should your child get a measles vaccine early because measles is spreading in Utah?

We strongly encourage parents to talk to their healthcare provider about the MMR vaccine for their children, even if they have not been exposed to someone with measles.

Should your infant younger than 12 months old get an early, extra dose?

Because there has been recent evidence of undetected community spread in many parts of Utah, we suggest you talk to a healthcare provider about giving your infant an early, extra dose of the MMR vaccine if they are between 6 and 12 months old. While the risk of getting measles in Utah is still low, there is a clear risk at this time.

Infants who are between 6 to 12 months old should also get an early, extra dose if they are traveling internationally, on domestic flights, or to areas in the U.S. where measles is actively spreading. Talk to your child’s doctor about getting an early dose if you plan to travel to any of these areas. Any infant who gets a dose before 12 months old will need to get 2 later doses in accordance with the standard vaccination schedule at 12–15 months and then a dose at 4–6 years.

Should your child 12 months or older get their second dose before the age of 4?

Young children can get their second MMR dose before 4 years old. The protection after 1 dose is very good. However, it is completely appropriate and fully protective to get your child their second dose before the age of 4 as long as they are older than 1 year and it has been at least 28 days since their first dose. Parents who are concerned should discuss this option with their doctor.

Do you need to get a booster shot because measles is spreading in Utah?

Not if you are up-to-date with your measles vaccinations. Most people born after 1957 need 2 doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected against measles.

Talk to a healthcare provider about getting another dose of the MMR vaccine if you were born after 1957 or vaccinated before 1968. The majority of people born before 1957 are likely to have been infected with measles and therefore are presumed to be protected. Some people who were vaccinated between the years 1963 and 1967 got a less effective vaccine, which means they can still get measles. Anyone who got this vaccine is considered unvaccinated. Talk to your doctor about whether you should get revaccinated if you were vaccinated between 1963 and 1967.

We recommend everyone make sure you are protected against measles.

You are considered to be protected against measles if at least 1 of the following applies to you:

  • You have a written record of your vaccine history and it shows you are up-to-date on the number of doses you need for your age.
    • You are considered up-to-date with 1 dose of MMR vaccine if you are:
      • Preschool aged (older than 12 months but not in kindergarten yet).
      • An adult who is NOT in high school, college, or another post-high school educational institution, NOT a healthcare worker, and NOT traveling internationally or to a place with an active measles travel advisory.
      • Age 6 to 12 months AND traveling internationally, on domestic flights, or to areas in the U.S. where measles is actively spreading.
    • You are considered up-to date with 2 doses of MMR vaccine (separated by 28 days) if you are:
      • In kindergarten through grade 12.
      • Attending college or another post-high school educational institution.
      • A healthcare worker.
      • Older than 12 months AND traveling internationally, on domestic flights, or to areas in the U.S. where measles is actively spreading.
  • You have lab results that show enough measles antibodies in your blood (laboratory evidence of immunity).
  • You have lab results that show you have had a measles infection in the past.
    • Verbal history of measles does not count.
  • You were born before 1957 (people born before 1957 most likely had measles in the past and are considered immune).

Talk to a doctor if you have questions about whether you are protected against measles.

      What are the vaccination rates in Utah?

      Most states look at how many kindergarten students have an exemption for the measles vaccine to measure measles vaccination rates. 

      During the 2024/2025 school year: 

      • About 10% of in-person kindergarten students in Utah had an exemption for the MMR vaccine or were missing documentation to show they were vaccinated against measles. 
      • 9.0% of in-person kindergarten students in Utah had an exemption to any school-required vaccine. 
      • 10.1% of all students in Utah had an exemption to any school-required vaccine, including students in online schools. 

      You can look up the immunization coverage rates for children in Utah on the Utah Statistics page of the immunization program website. The immunization dashboard school vaccine exemption tab contains statewide and school-specific immunization data. You can also find reports that show trends in school vaccine exemptions for the past 10 years.

      Information about breakthrough infections in Utah

      What is a breakthrough measles infection?

      A breakthrough measles infection happens when someone is vaccinated (they have had at least 1 MMR vaccine) and still gets measles after being exposed to the virus.

      Why are some vaccinated people getting measles?

      While the measles vaccine is very good at protecting people, it is not perfect. Most people who get the vaccine (97%) are well protected, but about 3% can get sick if they are exposed to the measles virus. During an outbreak, breakthrough infections are expected because high levels of the measles virus are circulating in the community. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective (97%) at preventing measles. Even a single dose is very effective (93%). It is rare to get a breakthrough infection if you’ve had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.

      If a vaccinated person gets measles, there are still benefits from the vaccine. Vaccinated people are less likely to have severe illness or have severe measles complications. They are also less likely to spread the virus to others.

      Why have there been breakthrough infections in Utah?

      Even though the MMR vaccine is very effective, it is not 100% effective. This means we can still expect a small percentage of vaccinated people to get sick with measles after being exposed. For example, if 100 vaccinated people are exposed to measles, we can expect about 3 of them to get sick with measles (a breakthrough infection). If 200 vaccinated people are exposed, we can expect about 6 of them to get sick, and so on. This means that with an increasing number of vaccinated people being exposed, we end up with an increasing number of breakthrough infections.

      Most people (more than 90%) in Utah have been vaccinated against measles. We believe many hundreds of vaccinated people in Utah have been exposed to measles during the current widespread outbreak. Even though hundreds of vaccinated people have likely been exposed, the vast majority of them have been protected by the vaccine and we only see the few where their body was not able to fight the virus off.

      At the same time, a small proportion of Utahns have not been vaccinated. Those people are also being exposed to the virus. Unlike the vaccinated Utahns, a majority of the unvaccinated Utahns who are exposed to the virus will get sick with measles. This is why most of the people getting measles in Utah are unvaccinated even though they make up a small minority of our population.

      Why do breakthrough infections happen?

      Experts aren’t exactly sure why breakthrough infections happen. It could be that someone’s immune system did not fully respond to the vaccine. Breakthrough infections can also happen in people who have medical conditions or take medications that weaken their body so it cannot fight off the infection even when they have been vaccinated.

      Breakthrough infections are more likely to happen in people who have only had 1 dose of the MMR vaccine.

      Is a breakthrough infection more mild?

      Typically, people who get breakthrough measles usually have mild illness (lower fever, lighter rash, and fewer complications) and are less likely to spread the disease.

      Can you be near someone with measles if you've had the measles vaccine?

      Most people with 2 doses of the MMR vaccine are well protected, however the risk is not zero.

      • It’s rare, but sometimes people who are fully vaccinated (have had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine) can still get infected if they are exposed. This means you should avoid contact with people who have measles (if possible).
        • Breakthrough infections are more common when someone lives in a household, or has prolonged close contact, with someone who has measles. 
      • Adults with only 1 dose of MMR are still at risk for a mild case of measles.

      Should you still watch for symptoms if you are vaccinated but have been exposed to measles?

      Yes, it is still reasonable to watch for symptoms. While it is quite rare, it is possible for vaccinated people to get measles. If you have been exposed and experience measles-like symptoms, contact your local health department or a healthcare provider for further assessment and testing.

      How does the number of breakthrough infections in this outbreak compare to past outbreaks?

      Currently, about 7.5% of confirmed measles cases are breakthrough cases. This is consistent with national data trends.

      How can people who are not vaccinated protect themselves from measles?

      To avoid the chance of measles infection for unvaccinated individuals we recommend the following:

      • Surround yourself with other vaccinated persons, especially in your household, if possible.
      • If you’re exposed to someone who has the measles, talk to a doctor about post-exposure vaccination or medication.
      • Avoid large gatherings and crowded places in areas with known outbreaks and ongoing transmission.
      • Consider getting the MMR vaccine at least 1 month before you try to get pregnant, to avoid harm to your baby during pregnancy.
      • Stay away from others if they are sick.

      If you think you or your child may have measles, we recommend you:

      • Stay home and away from others as much as possible.
      • Seek care if you have a hard time breathing and/or fever won’t come down.
      • Call the clinic or provider ahead of time and let them know you are concerned about measles; this is to protect other people from getting exposed in the waiting area, such as pregnant women and babies.

      More information about measles

      Measles resources

      Past exposure locations

      Past exposure locations