Utah's Shocking Measles Outbreak: 5 Cases at Wasatch High—What You MUST Know Now!

In a troubling development for public health in Utah, five cases of measles have been linked to Wasatch High School, prompting state health officials to issue urgent guidance to parents. The school is located in Wasatch County, an area that has reported some of the lowest measles vaccination rates among public school students in the state, according to data from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.

The recent outbreak has led officials to urge two critical actions: keep unvaccinated children at home and ensure that all students receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Data from the 2024-25 school year reveals that 13% of seventh graders in Wasatch County do not have the required documentation proving they have received both doses of the MMR vaccine.

In a joint letter issued on Saturday by the Wasatch County School District and the Wasatch County Health Department, parents were informed that possible exposures to the virus may have occurred between November 14 and November 18. The letter emphasized, “Measles is highly contagious, spreads easily, and can remain in the air for up to two hours. Approximately 9 out of 10 people who are not immune will become infected when exposed." This highlights the importance of vaccinations, as the MMR vaccine is noted to have a 97% effectiveness rate.

The letter also directed any unvaccinated students who may have been exposed to stay home from school for 21 days—the incubation period for measles. Despite the serious nature of the outbreak, a spokesperson for the district reported that attendance at Wasatch High School was not significantly affected the following Monday. All further inquiries were referred to the Wasatch County Health Department.

Utah law mandates that K-12 students must complete two rounds of vaccinations to attend public school: one prior to kindergarten and another before entering seventh grade. However, parents can request exemptions for medical, religious, and personal reasons. This has led to increasing exemption rates, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. State health officials have observed a dramatic uptick in exemptions; during the 2024-25 school year, 9% of kindergarteners and 9% of seventh graders statewide had exemptions for one or more vaccines.

Lana North, a spokesperson for the Wasatch County Health Department, noted the trend with concern. “What we’re trying to do is just help people understand,” she said. “The biggest recommendation really is the MMR vaccine. And the reason that is, is because it’s got about a 97% effectiveness rate, meaning that 97% of the time, you’re not going to get sick if you’ve been fully vaccinated.”

As health officials grapple with rising exemption rates and the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccinations in protecting not just individual children but also the broader community. Ensuring a high rate of vaccination is crucial in preventing outbreaks and safeguarding public health.