Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infectious Disease Measles topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Summit County health officials report no local measles cases after suspected traveler passed through Salt Lake City airport
Summary
Health department staff said Utah has no confirmed measles cases but described a recent traveler from Canada who was later confirmed positive and passed through Salt Lake City and flew while symptomatic. County officials urged vaccination and said MMR is available for uninsured residents.
Summit County health department staff told the Board of Health that there are no confirmed measles cases in Utah, but county epidemiologists monitored a recent suspected exposure tied to a traveler from Canada.
The department summarized national statistics first: as of the previous Thursday there were 1,088 confirmed U.S. measles cases across 33 jurisdictions, with about 12% hospitalized and elevated hospitalization among children under 5. County presenters said roughly 96% of reported cases nationally were among people who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.
Department staff described a specific incident in which a person who later tested positive for measles transited the Salt Lake City airport on May 19, then drove to southern Idaho and later returned through Salt Lake City and boarded a flight while symptomatic. State officials placed a do-not-board order for the individual and, according to county staff, the State of Utah decided not to issue a public health advisory after assessing risk. County epidemiologists reported they had no information indicating Summit County residents were exposed.
Nancy, the department epidemiologist, and other staff said Idaho public health agreed to notify Summit County of any suspect cases linked to that traveler; the county had received no such notifications as of the meeting. County staff also said the traveler had received vaccination outside U.S. recommendations: one of the traveler’s doses was a monovalent measles product not approved in the United States, and local staff described that context when explaining the state’s decision not to publish an advisory.
Board members asked about transmission risk on aircraft and incubation timelines. Staff reiterated that measles is highly contagious — virus particles can remain infectious in a gate or cabin for about two hours after an infected person leaves — and that infected people may spread the virus before symptoms appear. Staff encouraged anyone who thinks they need testing or vaccination to contact the health department.
The department said it has MMR vaccine supply available for uninsured residents and for short-term visitors who will be in Summit County, and that the county can provide testing and (when approved) antibody titers in the future. Staff asked board members to help publicize vaccine availability for those without insurance.
Ending: County officials said they will continue to coordinate with state and neighboring jurisdictions on any contact tracing or suspect-case notifications and encouraged people unsure of their MMR status to get vaccinated or seek testing through the health department.
