Utah measles cases trend upward amid national surge

Utah’s measles out­break continues to grow as public health officials track new cases and urge vac­cination. According to the latest update from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, the number of Utah residents di­agnosed with measles in the current out­break recently topped 300 confirmed cases statewide, including 58 reported in the past three weeks - a clear indication that trans­mission is ongoing across multiple regions of the state.

Most confirmed in­fections are still con­centrated in the South­west Utah Health District, though ad­ditional counties have documented cases and health department data show detections in wastewater across several parts of Utah. Officials say the virus is circulating beyond isolated clusters, in­creasing the likeli­hood of community exposure.

The statewide rise mirrors broader trends nationally. The Cen­ters for Disease Con­trol and Prevention reports 910 confirmed measles cases across the United States in 2026 to date, with outbreaks now active in more than 20 juris­dictions.

Measles is among the most contagious vaccine-preventable diseases. It typical­ly starts with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes before progressing to a rash. People with measles can spread the virus to others before they even realize they’re sick, making early detection and prevention key.

Health officials re­iterate that vaccina­tion remains the best protection. Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing infection and signifi­cantly lower the risk of complications.

Residents who think they may have been exposed are urged to check their vaccina­tion status and watch for symptoms for up to three weeks after exposure. Anyone with possible symptoms should call a health­care provider before seeking in-person care so clinics can take precautions to protect others. Unvaccinated individuals who’ve been exposed may be advised to stay home during the incubation period or receive post-exposure guidance based on vaccination history.

State and local health departments continue to encourage Utahns to ensure their vaccinations are up to date as the outbreak remains active.