Utah measles outbreak tops 700 cases as health officials urge families to check vaccinations

Measles cases have climbed above 700 in Utah during the state’s ongoing outbreak. Health officials are urging residents to check vaccination records and make sure they are up to date on the MMR vaccine. Photo: George Frey

More than 500 Utahns have been diagnosed this year as Summit County Health reminds families to review MMR records

PARK CITY, Utah — Utah has recorded more than 700 measles cases during its current outbreak, making the state one of the major centers of a nationwide resurgence of the highly contagious disease.

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services reported Tuesday that 715 Utah residents have been diagnosed with measles during the outbreak, including 518 in 2026 and 197 in 2025. Just two cases were diagnosed during the previous three weeks, according to the department’s Aug. 11 update, as transmission has slowed in recent months.

Utah’s outbreak comes during the highest level of measles activity the United States has experienced in decades.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,465 confirmed U.S. measles cases as of Aug. 6, already exceeding the 2,289 cases recorded during all of 2025. Ninety-three percent of this year’s cases have occurred among people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.

With another school year approaching, Utah health officials are reminding families to review their vaccination records and make sure they are up to date on the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

Summit County Health recommends the first routine MMR dose for children at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at ages 4 to 6. One dose is approximately 93% effective against measles, while two doses are approximately 97% effective, according to the department.

Utah health officials say children older than 12 months may receive their second dose before age 4 as long as at least 28 days have passed since the first dose. Parents should discuss that option with their health care provider. For infants younger than 12 months, Utah DHHS is not currently recommending an early extra dose routinely because local transmission has declined. Infants traveling internationally may have different recommendations.

Summit County experienced its first identified measles case associated with the current nationwide outbreak in January, when the health department confirmed the illness in a South Summit School District student who had attended school or school activities while infectious.

In March, Summit County Health issued another advisory following an increase in local cases and community exposures, asking residents to check vaccination records, monitor for symptoms, and consider MMR vaccination if they were not protected.

Measles spreads easily through the air. Summit County Health says approximately 90% of people without immunity who are exposed to an infected person will become infected, and the virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Symptoms can include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that typically begins on the face and spreads downward. Anyone who develops symptoms should stay away from others and call a health care provider before entering a clinic or hospital so staff can take precautions to prevent additional exposures.

Summit County Health encourages residents who are uncertain about their vaccination status to review their immunization records or contact a health care provider or the health department. MMR vaccination is available through Summit County Health clinics in Park City, Coalville, and Kamas.