Measles Outbreak Spreads Across Utah, Hitting Unvaccinated Individuals and Children Hardest

Key Points

• 83% of confirmed measles cases in Utah are among unvaccinated individuals
• Children are being infected at nearly twice the rate of adults
• The outbreak originated in a conservative, religious region with decreased public health trust

Full Details

Utah's measles outbreak, which began in a remote area, is now spreading across the state and affecting diverse communities. According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, 83% of confirmed cases are among unvaccinated individuals, and children are being infected at nearly twice the rate of adults. State epidemiologist Dr. Leisha Nolen noted that clinicians are surprised by how severely ill these patients, particularly children and teens, are becoming. The outbreak's origin in a conservative, religious region has been linked to decreased trust in public health following the COVID-19 pandemic, though local health departments report maintaining some community trust.