Utah marks a year of battling measles, with no clear end in sight

By — Devi Shastri, Associated Press Devi Shastri, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/utah-marks-a-year-of-battling-measles-with-no-clear-end-in-sight Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Utah marks a year of battling measles, with no clear end in sight Health Jun 20, 2026 11:29 AM EDT Utah has spent the past year fighting measles outbreaks — a grim milestone that could affect whether the United States can keep its measles-free designation. More than 680 people have gotten sick since the state's first outbreak began on June 20, 2025. Unlike measles outbreaks in Texas, South Carolina and Arizona, the spread in Utah has been tough to contain to one region — infecting undervaccinated communities in nearly every county. READ MORE: How health sleuths are watching for threats like measles during the World Cup Measles popped up in healthcare settings, big-box stores and restaurants, and youth sporting events. In February, an exposure at a state high school wrestling championship sparked at least 46 cases among attendees. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to medicine. It causes a tell-tale rash, high fevers, strong cough, ear infections and diarrhea. While most recover, some — including young babies, pregnant people and those with weak immune systems — are at higher risk of developing dangerous complications like pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness or even dying. Even healthy people can develop issues years down the road, including a rare but fatal degenerative brain disease that manifests about a decade after infection. The measles vaccine is safe and 97% protective after two doses. READ MORE: South Carolina's measles outbreak is over after sickening nearly 1,000 people Though Utah's spread has slowed in recent weeks, state epidemiologist Leisha Nolen sees little opportunity to rest. She's worried the start of school and arrival of colder weather in the fall will cause measles to surge again. "It's still here, it's still transmitting," she said. "We just need those few cases to hit the wrong community and it could flare up really big again." Utah sees the impacts of dropping vaccination rates The worst spread has been in the southwestern part of the state, where 265 people have fallen ill with the vaccine-preventable disease since last summer. Overall, measles infections hit 22 of the state's 29 counties. READ MORE: Babies too young for MMR vaccine become 'sitting ducks' in measles outbreaks In the state's rural northeast, the conditions were also ripe for measles to spread. Daggett, Duchesne and Uintah counties — collectively dubbed the "tricounty" health region — has seen the second-largest decline in childhood vaccination rates in the state. More than 16% of the region's kindergarteners were missing their measles vaccines in the last school year, according to state data. Statewide, 12.8% were missing their vaccine, putting the state