Utah health officials have reported over 100 measles cases in the state as of Nov. 25. A quarter of the cases are from the previous three weeks alone.
Measles cases in the country are expected to rise in the coming months. Areas with low vaccination rates have spiked in cases and have led to the death of two school-aged children in Texas.
Leisha Nolen, an Epidemiologist, told Utah News Dispatch the cases may spike before they fall again.
“I think we actually have more to come before it gets better.”
Washington County has the highest concentration of cases in Utah. Health Officials have confirmed 74 cases in Washington County. Last week, the spread of the virus infected eight students at a high school in Wasatch County. According to state data, Wasatch County has one of the lowest measles vaccination rates among students who attend public schools.
“So we know that area is vulnerable to a continued spread of measles now that it’s introduced,” Nolen said. “It’s one thing to have it localized in one school, but we know those kids go home, they have siblings at home, and they go do things that expose others. So I am worried that we’re going to have expansion from that in the immediate future.”
The United States is facing the possibility of having its measles elimination status revoked for the first time in over 20 years. Measles has been ruled “eliminated” by the government since 2000, meaning there have been no large-scale uncontrolled outbreaks of the virus.
Texas right now leads the country in confirmed cases, with over 800 according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, although reports show the case number is declining.
Health officials are strongly encouraging parents to vaccinate their kids for the virus to help prevent future spread and to help prevent young children from contracting the virus
Author: Andrew Streeter
Photo courtesy of Lindsey Wasson, AP News
Editor: Hannah Clove
news@suunews.net
