Third Measles Case Confirmed in Wyoming, No Links Found Between Infections

Wyoming has reported its third case of measles this month, and health officials say there’s still no known connection between the cases.

The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) confirmed that the latest case involves an unvaccinated adult from Carbon County who was exposed to measles while traveling outside the US What’s more concerning: the person was out in public while contagious.

If you were at any of these Carbon County locations on the dates below, health officials urge you to monitor for symptoms for 21 days:

• July 16 – 11:15 AM to 2:10 PM: Elevated Health & Safety Solutions (EHSS)
• July 16 – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM: City Market, Rawlins
• July 17 – 11:59 AM to 6:43 PM: Memorial Hospital of Carbon County (MHCC)

WDH says it’s working with EHSS and MHCC to directly contact anyone who may have been exposed.

Measles symptoms usually start with:

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red or watery eyes

Then comes the rash — typically beginning on the face and spreading downward.

Clay Van Houten, the state’s epidemiologist, recommends that anyone who may have been exposed, especially if unvaccinated, avoid crowds and high-risk places like daycares for the 21-day monitoring period.

This marks Wyoming’s third measles case since 2010, and all three have been reported just this month:

• July 1: An unvaccinated child in Natrona County
• July 11: An unvaccinated child in Niobrara County
• Now: An unvaccinated adult in Carbon County

So far, health officials haven’t found any links between the cases, suggesting multiple isolated exposures — not a spreading outbreak. But they’re watching closely.

According to WDH, people at higher risk for complications include:

• Babies too young for the MMR vaccine
• Pregnant individuals who aren’t immune
• People with weakened immune systems

If you fall into one of these categories and were possibly exposed, call your healthcare provider. There may be preventive treatments available.

Health officials are once again stressing the importance of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella), which provides strong and long-lasting protection.

If you or your kids aren’t up to date on your shots, now’s the time to get that taken care of.

The original story by Nicky Ouellet for KHOL 89.1.