As a large measles outbreak continues along the Arizona-Utah border, a measles investigation has hit a roadblock as the first suspected case identified in the Salt Lake City area refuses to cooperate with health officials, the local health department reported this week.
There have been more than 150 total cases across both states, most of them in northwestern Mohave County. ArizonaSouthwestern Health District UtahFor the past two months. Both regions have incredibly low vaccination rates. In Mohave County 78.4% of kindergarten students Received a measles vaccination during the 2024-2025 school year, according to state records. In southwestern Utah Only 80.7% There was a record of measles vaccination among kindergarten students in the 2024-2025 school year. Public health experts say 95% vaccination is needed to prevent the disease from spreading in the community.
While the outbreak has exploded significantly along the border, cases are slowly spreading north toward Salt Lake County, which surrounds the city. In Utah County, located just south of Salt Lake County, eight cases have been confirmed, including: New cases reported today.
Uncooperative Case
Salt Lake County is also likely to have the county’s first new facility this year, with potential for exposure. But they can’t confirm it.
County health officials said a health care provider in the area contacted them late Monday about a patient who very likely had measles. Officials then contacted the person throughout the day, but the person refused to answer questions or cooperate in any way. This includes refusing to share your location information so that others can be alerted to your potential exposure to one of the most contagious viruses known.
“Because the patient refused to be tested or fully participate in the disease investigation, we are technically unable to confirm the disease or adequately conduct contact tracing to alert people who may have been in contact with the patient,” said Dorothy Adams, Salt Lake County Health Department Executive Director. declaration. “However, based on the specific symptoms reported by health care providers and the limited conversations investigators have had with patients, it is very likely that this is measles in a person living in Salt Lake County.”
