With more than 200 confirmed cases of measles currently reported across Utah, many families are feeling understandable concern. While most of the cases are in the southern part of Utah, there are cases that confirm the illness is migrating north.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that stays active in the air for up to two hours. A child can catch it simply by entering a room where an infected person recently stood. The risk is much more than a rash: One in five unvaccinated people will require hospitalization, and complications can include permanent hearing loss, pneumonia, or brain swelling.
Another major concern for pediatricians is immune amnesia. This occurs when the virus wipes out the immune system’s memory of other diseases, leaving children unprotected against illnesses like the flu for years after they recover.
If you’re a parent, you’re likely worried for your child’s health and wondering about how you can better protect your family. Here are answers to the six most common questions Utah parents are asking about measles right now.
Measles symptoms generally appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected. It usually begins with a high fever, a cough, a runny nose, and red, watery eyes. These initial symptoms can look very much like a common cold or the flu.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tiny white spots known as Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin. The characteristic measles rash typically breaks out three to five days after the first symptoms. It usually starts as flat red spots on the face at the hairline and spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus is so resilient that it can stay in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room.
The current outbreak in Utah has shown how easily the virus travels, largely because the virus can be passed to others four days before the rash even appears. This means people often spread the illness before they realize they have it. If one person has measles, up to 90 percent of the people close to them who are not immune will also become infected.
The outbreak is currently moving through several regions of the state. It initially gained a foothold in Southern Utah near the Arizona border. Health officials in Kane County were among the first to manage a high volume of cases.
Recent data shared by the Salt Lake Tribune shows that the virus has migrated north: A confirmed case in Summit County has put residents in the Park City and Snyderville Basin areas on high alert, and health departments in Salt Lake, Davis, and Weber counties are also increasing surveillance as the virus enters these more densely populated regions.
Parents should stay updated through their local health department websites for specific exposure sites in their neighborhoods. For more updates, you can visit the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Website.
Infants (six to 11 months) can receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine. It is important to know that this dose does not count toward their permanent two-dose series because the immune response may not be as long-lasting in very young infants. They will still need their scheduled doses at 12 to 15 months and four to six years.
The vaccine has been used for decades and has a strong safety record. Most children do not experience any side effects, though some may have a mild fever or a temporary soreness at the injection site. Further, extensive research from organizations like the Mayo Clinic confirms that there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Choosing to vaccinate helps create “herd immunity,” which protects infants who are too young to be vaccinated and children with weakened immune systems.
While the MMR vaccine is very effective, it is possible for a small number of vaccinated individuals to contract the virus. These are often referred to as breakthrough cases. However, data from the CDC shows that vaccinated people who do catch measles usually have a much milder version of the illness.
In these rare cases, vaccinated children are less likely to experience severe complications like pneumonia or brain swelling. They are also less likely to spread the virus to others. If your child has received both doses of the MMR vaccine, their risk of contracting a severe case of measles during this Utah outbreak is extremely low. The measles vaccine, which is given in two doses, prevents measles 97 percent of the time on average.
If you suspect your child has been exposed to measles or is showing symptoms, the most important step is to call your pediatrician before going to the clinic. Because the virus is so contagious, healthcare providers need to make special arrangements to evaluate your child without exposing other patients in the waiting room.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services recommends keeping your child home and away from others until a doctor provides instructions. If your child is unvaccinated and has been exposed, getting the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure may prevent the disease or make the symptoms less severe. Your doctor will guide you on the best course of action based on your child’s age and health history.
This is a major concern following the recent case at South Summit Elementary. When a case is confirmed, local health departments perform “contact tracing” to see who was in the same room as the infected person.
If your child is fully vaccinated, they can typically stay in school and continue their normal activities, though you will be asked to monitor them for symptoms for 21 days. However, if your child is unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated and was exposed, the health department may require them to quarantine at home for up to 21 days from the date of exposure. This is a strict public health measure to stop the virus from jumping to more families. Because measles is airborne and highly resilient, school districts must follow these protocols to prevent a localized case from becoming a county-wide outbreak.
Many parents at South Summit Elementary and schools in Utah County are receiving notices about 21-day exclusions. If your child is unvaccinated and was in the same room as someone with a confirmed case of measles, the health department will require them to stay home for 21 days from the date of the last exposure.
This timeline is based on the incubation period of the virus. It can take up to three weeks for a person to show symptoms after they have been exposed. Because a child can be contagious for four days before their rash even appears, the 21-day rule is the only way to ensure that the virus does not continue to hop from one student to the next. If your child is fully vaccinated, they generally do not need to quarantine and can continue attending school as long as they do not have symptoms.
In light of the current measles outbreak in Utah, the most crucial step parents can take is to ensure their children are protected through vaccination. The MMR vaccine remains the safest and most effective defense against this highly contagious and potentially severe virus. If you have any concerns about your child’s vaccination status, recent exposure, or if they are showing any symptoms, please call your pediatrician’s office immediately. Do not go to the clinic without calling first. Your pediatrician is your best resource and will provide the guidance and care needed to protect your child and your community.
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