Amid measles outbreak in US, how many cases in Utah?

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — More than a dozen states have reported about 400 measles cases so far this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s the second-highest number reported in the U.S. since the virus was eliminated in 2000.

However, no cases have recently been reported in Utah, according to a spokesman for the Utah Department of Health.

That doesn’t mean Utahns are not at risk. Most people who contract measles are not vaccinated. Travelers who get measles abroad and bring it back to the U.S. can cause an outbreak, particularly among pockets of unvaccinated people, the CDC says.

The federal agency reports six outbreaks are currently happening in Washington state, two California counties, New Jersey, New York City and New York's Rockland County.

The country’s 387 cases for the first three months of the year already tops the total for all of last year, when 372 cases were reported.

"Measles starts with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat," according to the CDC. "It’s followed by a rash that spreads over the body. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing."

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