Wyoming has confirmed its first case of measles in 15 years as the contagious disease continues to spread across the United States. The state's Department of Health announced on Tuesday that a case was detected in an unvaccinated child located in Natrona County, which encompasses the city of Casper in central Wyoming. This pediatric case marks the first reported instance of measles in Wyoming since 2010, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).
The specifics regarding how the child contracted the disease remain unclear, and the WDH has not disclosed identifying information such as the child's name, age, or sex. According to a release from the WDH, the child was infectious during visits to the emergency department waiting room at Banner Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. These visits occurred on Thursday, June 24, from 11 a.m. MT to 1 p.m. MT, and on Friday, June 25, from 12:55 p.m. MT to 2:55 p.m. MT.
The WDH is collaborating with Banner Wyoming Medical Center to alert individuals who may have been exposed to measles during those timeframes. Dr. Alexia Harrist, the state health officer with the WDH, urged individuals who were potentially exposed to monitor themselves for measles symptoms for 21 days following their exposure. She also advised avoiding crowded public places and high-risk environments, such as daycare centers, to prevent further transmission of the disease.
Wyoming is now the 37th state this year to report a case of measles, as the nation approaches a 30-year high in infections. As of Wednesday morning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed a total of 1,227 measles cases throughout the U.S. This number is on track to exceed the 1,274 cases reported in 2019 and could lead to the highest incidence of measles since 1992.
This year has also seen three confirmed deaths related to measles: two among unvaccinated children in Texas and one involving an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico. The CDC reports that 95% of the confirmed measles cases are among individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. In contrast, only 2% of cases are linked to individuals who have received one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, while 3% are among those who have received the recommended two doses.
Dr. Harrist emphasized the critical nature of vaccination, stating, "Measles is one of the most contagious diseases we know, but it is preventable." The MMR vaccine is proven to be safe and highly effective, offering long-lasting protection. With two doses of the MMR vaccine being approximately 97% effective in preventing measles, the WDH strongly encourages all Wyoming residents to ensure they and their children are up to date on their MMR vaccinations.
