Utah Measles Outbreak Tops 670 Cases, Hitting 23 Babies and 12 Pregnant Women
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 27
Utah Measles Outbreak Tops 670 Cases, Hitting 23 Babies and 12 Pregnant Women
4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 27
Utah health data show the outbreak has infected more than 670 people since last summer, including 23 babies under 1 and 12 pregnant women.
Those cases highlight spread beyond children whose parents declined vaccination, with doctors also reporting several hospitalized immunocompromised children who could not safely receive the shot.
Pregnant women face especially high risk—state data said one infected mother transmitted measles to her newborn, and doctors note pregnancy raises the risk of death and miscarriage or premature labor.
Babies are also more vulnerable to severe complications, including a rare brain disorder that can emerge years later after infection.
Utah officials are urging parents to consider an early measles dose for infants aged 6 to 11 months while the outbreak continues.
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Utah’s Measles Crisis: 559 Cases Expose Vaccine Gaps and Public Health Challenges
Overview
Utah is facing a major measles outbreak, with 559 cases reported by the end of March and the virus spreading rapidly across the state. The outbreak is part of a larger national trend, as nearly 1,900 cases have been confirmed in 40 U.S. jurisdictions. Measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours, making exposure easy and prompting health officials to advise people to watch for symptoms for 21 days. Most cases are in children and young adults, and the vast majority of patients are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status, highlighting the urgent need for improved immunization coverage.