2 pregnant women, 1 minor among 5 Utahns with measles, all unvaccinated

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah now has five measles cases, one them includes a minor, and two unvaccinated pregnant women, according to the latest information from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

At this time, 2 of the 5 Utahns who have been diagnosed with measles had to be hospitalized due to complications from measles. They have since been released.

“What is concerning to us is that now we have more people with a severe disease,” Utah State Epidemiologist Leisha Nolan said while addressing the media today.

Officials say the two pregnant women infected are at high risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or giving birth to a child who will experience serious medical problems. A pregnant woman is also much more likely to be hospitalized because of severe measles.

DHHS at this time is advising woman that if they are planning to become pregnant, get vaccinated before you get pregnant to protect yourself and your baby.

The MMR vaccine can’t be to women while they are pregnant. If you get the MMR vaccine, wait at least 4 weeks after you get your shot before you try to get pregnant. 

Of the five people affected, one of the newly identified individuals with measles is a minor, while the other is an adult. One person is a Utah County resident; the other is from the southwest health district. DHHS says public health investigations are ongoing to identify any locations where possible exposures may have occurred.

Officials say that the minor is also recovering well at this time.

“We do expect additional cases at this time. We believe that there are a number of cases in Utah that are undetected. So we think there will be additional people who will be detected in the coming weeks,” Noland added.

Getting vaccinated

According to DHHS, 90% of Utahns are vaccinated against measles and is urging those who are not vaccinated, to get the MMR vaccine. Nolan adds that the most effective prevention against the measles is vaccination.

As of June 24, 2025, a total of 1,227 confirmed measles cases were reported by 37 jurisdictions in the United States, according to the latest information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through the air through coughing and sneezing. The CDC said those infected won’t see symptoms appear until about a week after infection and common symptoms include high fever, cough and a rash.

Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.

Measles can cause serious health complications, especially for those who are not protected through the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline. They then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.

Measles in Utah

Utah has largely been spared of measles cases in the last 10 years. There have only been five confirmed cases since 2015, including three in 2017. However, Utah has had a couple of scares in recent weeks after a passenger with measles traveled through the Salt Lake International Airport and another potential exposure popped up in southwest Utah.