First Measles Case of 2025 in the State Emerges in Utah County

measles case in Utah County in 2025 underscores a critical public health concern amidst national outbreaks. An unvaccinated adult, who had not traveled outside the state, was diagnosed with measles after visiting several public locations in Orem . This incident not only highlights the vulnerability of unvaccinated individuals but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing risk posed by infectious diseases that can rapidly spread within communities. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has advised those who frequented these sites to monitor for symptoms such as high fever, cough, and rash .

Utah now has its first verified case of measles — and state health officials are urging Utahns to get up-to-date on their vaccinations.

The infected person is an adult from Utah County, the Department of Health and Human Services reported Friday. The person, who was not further identified, is unvaccinated and had no out-of-state exposures, indicating the infection was transmitted within Utah.

Before being diagnosed, health officials said that the Utah County resident had visited several public places. They want to inform those who may have been at these sites at the same time, or two hours after, that they may have been exposed.

Nolen, Department of Health and Human Services director Tracy Gruber and Dr. Stacey Bank, the department’s medical director, answered questions about the case and measles in general during a news conference Friday afternoon.

Gruber emphasized that because of the national outbreak of cases, Utah health officials had anticipated there would be local cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes 1,214 confirmed measles cases nationally as of June 19, across 36 jurisdictions, including Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

As we witness a national increase in measles cases—1,214 confirmed cases and 23 outbreaks reported across the U.S. this year—the importance of vaccination becomes even more pronounced . Public health officials emphasize that vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations. The situation calls for renewed efforts in promoting immunization awareness and addressing vaccine hesitancy within communities. Ultimately, proactive measures are essential to safeguard public health against preventable diseases like measles.

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Sara H

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