SALT LAKE CITY, UT – In a significant health development, the Summit County Health Department announced its first confirmed case of measles over the past weekend. This news has prompted health officials to strongly encourage families to ensure they are vaccinated against this highly contagious disease. The case, involving a student at South Summit Elementary School, was reported after the individual unknowingly attended classes while infected on January 5. Since that time, the student has remained at home, and school officials have taken proactive measures to inform parents and staff about potential exposure to the virus. Epidemiologist Nancy Porter highlighted the potential risks associated with measles, noting that individuals can be infectious even before showing symptoms. "The tricky part about measles is that you can be infectious without knowing it," Porter explained. "That’s one of the reasons why it spreads so quickly. It is still one of the most contagious diseases that we know of." In light of this, the health department is urging community members to stay vigilant and consider vaccination as a primary method of prevention. Prior to the start of the academic year, the Summit County Health Department held meetings with local school districts — including Park City, South Summit, and North Summit — to formulate a strategic plan in case a measles outbreak were to arise. County Nursing Director Derek Moss noted that this foresight played a crucial role in effectively managing the situation after the positive measles case was identified. "We knew that there was a high chance that a disease like measles could make its way into Summit County," Moss stated. "From my perspective, it went extremely well. Everybody had their ducks in a row, and there wasn’t a lot of scrambling like there could have been." Superintendent Greg Maughan of South Summit School District echoed this sentiment, praising the collaborative efforts between the school and health officials. He emphasized how the advance preparations allowed the district to quickly mobilize and provide necessary resources for affected students and staff. "We had an idea that it could be coming (because of the holiday break), so we were able to do some preparatory work as far as getting work for students who would be impacted by it, as well as staff," Maughan said. This proactive stance helped ensure that students had access to educational materials during their quarantine. As of now, there have not been any additional confirmed cases of measles in the county. However, Porter has urged residents to monitor the county’s respiratory illness dashboard, which she updates weekly with data on various illnesses, including measles and seasonal flu. The dashboard serves as a valuable resource for community members to remain informed about the health status in the area. The United States has been grappling with a national outbreak of measles that began last year, with over 2,029 cases reported since the beginning of 2025. Utah has seen 199 of these cases, primarily concentrated in Washington and Utah counties. In response to this public health concern, the Summit County Health Department is also working with state officials to conduct wastewater testing. This initiative, reminiscent of strategies employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to track the presence of measles in the community, although it does not provide data on the number of individuals infected. To combat the spread of measles, the county is offering free MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccinations, which are reported to be 97% effective in preventing or reducing symptoms of these diseases. Vaccination is critical, especially considering that herd immunity for measles requires a vaccination rate of at least 95%. Currently, approximately 92% of students in Summit County are vaccinated, indicating a slight gap that could pose risks. Interestingly, health officials revealed that the student who tested positive for measles had not been vaccinated, raising concerns over the community’s overall immunity. As a precautionary measure, about 20 students and staff members at South Summit Elementary School have been advised to quarantine until January 26. Moss reiterated the importance of vaccinations, stating, "There are rare cases where somebody who is vaccinated gets it, but it’s almost always not as severe and shorter-lived. These vaccines really work, and that’s the reason they’re so important. If you put a bunch of kids into a combined space with an airborne, transmitted disease, there’s a lot of risk there." In conclusion, the confirmation of the first measles case in Summit County serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccinations in preventing disease outbreaks. Health officials continue to stress the necessity of community awareness and proactive health measures as they work to mitigate the risks associated with this contagious disease. Families are encouraged to take advantage of the free MMR vaccinations available, ensuring the health and safety of their children and the broader community.