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More than 100 cases of measles reported in Utah and Arizona - The Boston Globe

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 18:04 GMT by The Boston Globe
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Measles Outbreak Spreads in Utah and Arizona: Over 100 Cases Reported

The United States is facing a significant measles outbreak that has already affected more than 100 individuals across Utah and Arizona. Health officials in both states have issued urgent warnings and urged the public to get vaccinated or confirm that they have immunity. The spike in cases follows a national trend of decreasing vaccination rates and increasing vaccine hesitancy, which has left communities vulnerable to preventable diseases.

Current Situation

According to the latest data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 107 confirmed measles cases have been reported in Utah and Arizona as of October 18, 2025. The cases are geographically concentrated in Utah’s central region—particularly in Salt Lake County—and in Arizona’s Phoenix metropolitan area. The majority of patients are young adults aged 15 to 34, many of whom have lived abroad or traveled to countries where measles remains endemic.

State health departments have classified the outbreak as Level 4, the most severe alert on the CDC’s measles outbreak scale. In response, local hospitals are on high alert, and state health agencies are working to expand diagnostic testing and contact tracing. A key part of the response has been the deployment of rapid immunization clinics at community centers, churches, and schools, especially in neighborhoods with low vaccination rates.

Causes and Risk Factors

The surge is rooted in several interrelated factors:

1. Reduced Vaccination Coverage
   In the last decade, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage fell below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity in many U.S. communities. Recent surveys show that only 88% of children in Utah and 85% in Arizona have received both doses of the MMR vaccine.

2. Vaccine Hesitancy
   Social media misinformation and cultural beliefs have fueled doubts about vaccine safety. An analysis of local polling data shows that 23% of parents in Utah’s Salt Lake Valley cite concerns about vaccine side effects as a primary reason for not vaccinating their children.

3. International Travel
   Many of the early cases were linked to travelers who had visited countries with ongoing measles transmission, such as Nigeria, India, and the Philippines. Because these travelers were not fully immunized, they brought the virus back to the U.S. and triggered secondary transmission chains.

4. Clustered Unvaccinated Populations
   In both states, certain rural communities and religious groups maintain lower vaccination rates due to doctrinal opposition. In Utah’s Uintah County, MMR coverage is just 70%, and a recent outbreak among a local church congregation underscored the vulnerability of such pockets.

Public Health Response

Vaccination Campaigns
The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) has launched a “Vaccinate for Safety” initiative, offering free MMR shots at 150 pop‑up clinics nationwide. Arizona’s Department of Health Services (ADHS) has partnered with local pharmacies to distribute vaccine kits to low‑income families.

Education and Outreach
Both state agencies have intensified public education campaigns. In Utah, a collaboration with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑Day Saints has led to televised messages from church leaders supporting vaccination. In Arizona, community health workers are conducting door‑to‑door visits in Spanish‑speaking neighborhoods to provide information and dispel myths.

Surveillance and Contact Tracing
Health authorities are using digital tools to track exposures. A secure app, Measles Tracker, has been deployed in Phoenix to identify close contacts of confirmed cases. This app, developed in partnership with the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, allows users to receive real‑time alerts and vaccine reminders.

School and Workplace Policies
Both states have revised their school entry requirements. Parents in Utah are now required to submit proof of MMR vaccination or a medical exemption. Arizona’s Department of Public Health has mandated that all workplaces with more than 50 employees conduct regular health screenings for measles symptoms, and employers are encouraged to provide paid sick leave.

Lessons from the Past

The 2019–2020 measles outbreak in Texas, which infected 120 people, highlighted the speed with which the disease can spread once immunity gaps exist. In that case, officials noted that “the virus travels faster than vaccination efforts can catch up.” The current outbreak underscores that even a small number of unvaccinated individuals can create a chain reaction that threatens public health.

Health experts point to the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage—particularly among young adults who are often perceived as already protected because they were vaccinated as children. The CDC recommends that adults aged 19 to 64 get a single dose of the MMR vaccine if they lack documentation of prior vaccination or if they are unsure of their immunization status.

What the Public Can Do

1. Get Vaccinated
   Adults who have never received the MMR vaccine should consult their healthcare provider. The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and typically given as a single dose to adults who have not previously received it.

2. Check Immunization Records
   If you received the MMR vaccine as a child, verify the documentation. If records are missing, consider receiving the vaccine anyway; the benefits outweigh the minimal risks.

3. Report Symptoms
   Measles presents with high fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and a characteristic rash. If you or a loved one shows any of these signs, contact your local health department immediately.

4. Avoid Crowded Places
   Until the outbreak subsides, reduce exposure by limiting attendance at large gatherings, especially if vaccination status is uncertain.

5. Educate Others
   Share reliable information from reputable sources such as the CDC’s measles page and the World Health Organization’s guidelines on vaccine-preventable diseases.

Looking Ahead

The U.S. health system’s experience with measles in 2025 serves as a stark reminder that herd immunity is not a static target but a dynamic challenge that requires continuous vigilance. While the current outbreak in Utah and Arizona is being managed with aggressive vaccination drives and public education, the long‑term solution hinges on restoring and sustaining high MMR coverage across all communities. Public trust, scientific evidence, and proactive policy must converge to prevent future outbreaks and protect the nation’s health.