Measles Outbreaks Arise in Arizona and Utah

One of the largest measles outbreaks in the U.S. has been confirmed in the bordering areas between Utah and Arizona.

According to state health departments, 44 cases have been confirmed in Utah as of Sept. 25 while 52 cases have been confirmed in Arizona as of Sept. 23.

An NBC News investigation, done in collaboration with Stanford University, reported that much of the U.S. doesn’t have the vaccine protection to prevent outbreaks of highly contagious diseases such as measles.

These outbreaks occur just days after the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to change national guidelines on the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The Mohave County Department of Public Health, which borders Utah, first announced a measles case on Aug. 12. Of the 42 confirmed cases, one child has been hospitalized. As of the 2024-25 school year, not a single school in Mohave County had kindergarten classes with herd immunity protection against measles. Officials in both Arizona and Utah are urging parents to get themselves and their kids up-to-date on the measles vaccine, NBC reported.

As MMR vaccination rates dwindle, the U.S. is experiencing the highest number of cases in more than 30 years. The CDC has reported 1,514 cases and 40 outbreaks as of Sept. 23. Last year there were 16 outbreaks.

Earlier this year, CMM reported the end of this year’s measles outbreak centered in West Texas. As of Aug. 18, 762 cases of measles have been confirmed in the outbreak since late January.