Over the past month, Texas has been experiencing an outbreak of measles with more than 140 Texans diagnosed and the death of one child.

Now it’s been detected in New Mexico.

Because of this alarming trend, public health officials at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services are stressing the importance of vaccination to protect themselves and their children against the disease.

The Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective against measles, but two doses need to be given to children between 12-15 months of age. While the vaccine usually protects people for life against measles and rubella, immunity against mumps may decrease over time. However, some adults may want to consider getting vaccinated again, said Jenny Johnson, assistant communications director for the state health department.

“If you were born after 1957 and vaccinated before 1968, you should get another dose of the MMR vaccine,” she said. “The type of measles vaccines used between 1963 and 1967 was not as effective as the current vaccine. Before the MMR vaccine was available, most people were infected with measles during childhood. That means most people born before 1957 likely have protection from the disease and do not need to be vaccinated.”

Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist at UDOHHS, said the current vaccine has been used since the early 1970s, has saved millions of lives and has prevented significant suffering around the globe.

“The MMR vaccine is safe and effective and Utahns are encouraged to protect their families by getting the recommended vaccine,” Nolen said.

Johnson said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has easy-to-find information regarding the vaccine.

The state hasn’t experienced any measles so far, but one case was reported in 2023 and there were three cases in 2017.

Measles is a viral infection that is highly contagious, Nolen said. In fact, it’s so contagious that nine out of 10 unvaccinated people who come into contact with the virus will become sick if not protected. The illness spreads through the air when a person speaks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can cause serious health problems, especially in babies and young children.

Symptoms of measles typically don’t show up until 10 to 14 days after exposure. They can include cough, runny nose, a red, blotchy skin rash that typically spreads all over the body, sore throat, tiny white spots that appear inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek and fever. Other symptoms can include muscle pain, fatigue and loss of appetite.

Most people will have a mild illness, but others can suffer pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures and even death. Those at highest risk are pregnant women and young children as well as those who have weakened immune systems and those who are not vaccinated.

If you have been around someone with measles or think you’ve been infected, call your health care provider right away.