measles

The state epidemiologist says the highly infectious disease is likely spreading in Carbon County. But a 93% uptake rate of the MMR vaccine should help control bigger outbreaks.

The Wyoming Department of Health says they were all exposed to someone with confirmed measles infection. This brings the total known infections to seven this year.

The state health department says an unvaccinated adult from Carbon County was exposed out of the country. Two other cases were previously confirmed in Niobrara and Natrona counties.

The Wyoming Department of Health is notifying anyone who may have been potentially exposed, including folks in the healthcare setting where the diagnosis was made. The child may have been in Converse County while infectious, but the department isn’t aware of any locations where the public may have been exposed.

The Wyoming Department of Health confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated child in late June. Those at the Banner Wyoming Medical Center’s ER at the same time need to look out for symptoms.

As Texas contends with more than 750 cases of the measles, much smaller outbreaks in Mountain West states appear to be subsiding.

The five people with confirmed cases are adults and children who are residents of Gallatin County and exposed to the highly-contagious virus while traveling outside of Montana.

At least 95% of community members need to be vaccinated to protect against the virus. That number is a lot lower in some western states.

Herd immunity is what protects those who, for medical reasons, cannot take the vaccine, such as newborn babies.

Back in mid-December, three children were hospitalized with measles after passing through the Denver airport and the emergency department of Children’s...