2 new measles cases reported in Washington County, bringing Utah total up to 13

ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — Utah health officials have confirmed two new cases of measles in children in Southwest Utah, bringing the total number of cases in Utah for this year to 13 cases.

According to the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, both of these new cases are school-aged children who live in Washington County. Reportedly, the schools have notified parents by email about the exposure, providing information and guidance.

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released information about the exposure location so that anyone who may have been exposed can be informed. Anyone who was at Corner Clinic Urgent Care & Family Medicine (2351 S River Rd, Suite 5 in St. George) on August 9 between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. needs to watch out for measles-like symptoms.

Common measles symptoms include high fever, cough, and a rash. Measles is a serious disease that can have serious complications including hospitalization and death.

DHHS also has a survey for anyone who was at that clinic at that date and time to fill out to assess their risk. The last day to watch for symptoms is August 30.

All previous cases in Utah were in unvaccinated individuals, though the vaccination status of the two new cases are unknown at this time.

Getting vaccinated

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

As of July 1, 2025, a total of 1,267 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).

According to a study conducted by the DHHS, immunization rates with specific vaccines have decreased amongst kindergarteners throughout Utah since 2014. Amelia Salmanson, a measles epidemiologist with the DHHS, told ABC4.com that anyone who is exhibiting measles symptoms or is sick should do their best to “stay home and away from others”. They can also call ahead when seeking care so clinics can prevent spread in their waiting rooms.

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. The 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 from 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 months after a passenger with measles traveled through the Salt Lake.

While the national definition considers three or more cases as an outbreak, Utah defines an outbreak as one or more case. However, since most cases have been isolated within individual households, the DHHS is using the term ‘Cluster’.

Amelia Salmanson notes that the organization has been preparing for measles in Utah for at least a year and have been working to reduce measles transmission outside of the identified households.

“We’ve been working really closely with our local health departments and our clinical partners to develop plans and processes to ensure that the transmission of measles stays ideally within kind of that immediate group,” Amelia Salmanson, DHHS measles epidemiologist said.