Summit County Health confirms first measles case

The Summit County Health Department received confirmation of a positive measles case in a student at South Summit School District. This is the first identified measles case in Summit County from the current nationwide outbreak.

It has been confirmed that this student attended school or school activities while infectious. Exposures may have occurred during school hours at South Summit Elementary School on January 5, 2026. 

Summit County Health is working closely with South Summit School District to provide appropriate notification and guidance to school faculty, students, and parents. Health department staff are taking immediate action to investigate and limit further spread.

“Our staff and school district partners have taken proactive measures for months to plan and prepare for our first measles case,” Summit County Health Director Dr. Phil Bondurant said. “We encourage residents and their family members who are not already vaccinated against measles to consider the MMR vaccine, which is the most effective way to protect against measles.”

Measles is a highly contagious virus. People who are not immune have a 90% chance of getting the disease if they are near an infected person. Someone with measles can spread it to others even before they know they are ill, and the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. 

Anyone experiencing symptoms of measles, especially if you are unvaccinated or have been exposed to a known case, should contact your healthcare provider remotely by phone or app before visiting a clinic, emergency room, or urgent care facility.

Measles symptoms usually start 7 to 14 days after exposure and can include:

• Cough

• High fever

• Runny nose

• Red, watery eyes

• Rash, beginning with flat, red spots on the face and spreading downward

Unvaccinated people, including children too young to be vaccinated, are more likely to have severe complications from a measles infection. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles will need to be hospitalized. Young children, pregnant women and people who have weakened immune systems are also more likely to have serious problems from measles.  

The MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles and is widely available at local pharmacies, doctor offices or Summit County Health immunization clinics. Two doses of MMR vaccine prevent more than 97 percent of measles infections. In the remaining 3 percent of circumstances when a fully vaccinated person catches measles, symptoms are milder, the illness is shorter and the individual is less likely to spread the disease.

For updates and information about measles, visit https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/