Measles Outbreak Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 1, 2026
Vernal, UT – TriCounty Health Department (TriCHD) now has 56 confirmed measles infections, up from 23 infections last week.
TriCHD thanks families, schools, and clinicians for their valiant efforts to protect vulnerable children and reduce the spread of measles. “Everyone’s working together,” said Sydnee Lyons, Public Information Officer at TriCounty Health. “Our community is going above and beyond in terms of … trying to protect not only themselves, but their community members.”
TriCHD understands that some people choose not to vaccinate for different reasons, such as health concerns or religious beliefs. Whether based on existing health issues, religious beliefs, or other factors, TriCHD supports people’s right to make their own choices and encourages everyone to learn about the benefits and risks of vaccines so they can make informed decisions.
In 2024 the TriCHD Board of Health wrote a letter to the community warning that lower vaccination rates in school-aged children could lead to disease outbreaks.
“We express sincere concern that in recent years the topic of childhood vaccinations has become controversial,” the board wrote. “We encourage honest discussions about the science, history, and health impacts of vaccines. We are confident that the value of vaccinations will be recognized through the health of our residents and/or outbreaks of preventable diseases.”
TriCHD reminds the community that measles is a highly infectious disease. A person can spread it for up to 21 days after getting sick. Everyone can take steps to help stop the spread.
The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine gives long-lasting protection. If you were around someone with measles and are not protected, you may be able to get the vaccine within 72 hours to lower your risk. If you cannot prove you are protected, you may need to stay home from school, childcare, or work to avoid spreading the illness.
The department will continue to share guidance and resources during the outbreak. For more information and answers to common questions, please visit the official Utah measles dashboard.
Media Contact
Sydnee Lyons - Public Information Officer
Phone: 435-247-1169
