On Friday, the Weber-Morgan Health Department announced in a press release that two unconnected cases had been confirmed in Weber County.

“We know that measles is spreading in Utah, with over 50 residents getting sick with measles in the last three weeks,” Amy Carter, WMHD public health nurse, said in the release. “We have been preparing for this as we are just coming out of holiday celebrations among family and friends, and large community events that bring people together. This is a good reminder for everyone that the best way to prevent getting sick from measles is to be vaccinated. We also encourage everyone to be mindful of symptoms and to please stay home when feeling sick.”

The release adds that symptoms of measles often include:

• “fever
• cough and runny nose
• red, irritated eyes
• a rash that usually starts on the face and then spreads downward to the rest of the body.”

A person with measles can spread the virus to others starting four days before the rash appears through four days after.

According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services’ Utah measles outbreak response page, the following area sites are listed as recent exposure sites:

• North Ogden Intermountain Clinic from  2;45-6 p.m. on Jan. 12;
• LDS Church Meetinghouse, West Haven, from 8:30 a.m.-noon on Jan. 11;
• Ascend: A Mentored Education, Washington Terrace, from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Jan. 8;
• Weber High School, Pleasant View, from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Jan. 8.

Friday’s press release reminds the public that MMR vaccines are available and effective.

“Two doses of the MMR vaccine give you 97% protection against measles virus,” the release said. “The best protection against measles is to have two doses of MMR vaccine. If you are unsure of your MMR vaccine status, you can check for your records through www.docket.care, or call your doctor’s office or local health department and speak with a nurse. There is testing (called an MMR titer) that can be ordered by a healthcare provider to determine immunity to measles from past vaccination or illness. If you can’t find vaccine records, or your vaccine status is unknown, it is safe to get additional doses of the MMR vaccine to ensure protection with two documented doses.”

For more information, visit https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response.