Measles case reported in south-central Idaho — in an out-of-state patient

BOISE (Idaho Statesman) – A measles case has been reported in Burley after an international traveler on a business trip was confirmed to be infected, South Central Public Health District announced Friday.

During their infectious period, the individual was in the following places in Idaho:

• Monday, May 19 – EdgeWater Dining and Spirits at 530 Hampton Drive between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 20 – Urgent Care of Idaho – Burley Clinic, at 382 Overland Ave., between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Location shares a waiting room with two other businesses.)
• Tuesday, May 20 – Intermountain Health Cassia Regional Hospital between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

The hotel the traveler was staying in will be notifying guests who were there at the same time, SCPHD spokesperson Amy Dillon said in a news release.

Those who may have been exposed and are susceptible to measles could develop symptoms between now and June 14, the health district said. SCPD and other health organizations are working to identify as many people as possible who could have had contact with the patient.

Additionally, Idaho’s state epidemiologists will contact the individual’s area of residence to inform them about the case and “collaborate on the investigation since it is possible that people in both areas may have been exposed,” Dillon told the Idaho Statesman in an email.

Since the case came from someone who lives out of state, it is technically not considered an Idaho case, but an incidence of measles exposure, Dillon also said.

The CDC characterizes measles by myriad symptoms that can show up anywhere from one to two weeks after exposure:

• High fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes are the first signs.
• Symptoms 2-3 days after onset: Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth.
• Symptoms 3-5 days after onset: The measles rash will appear, usually beginning as flat red spots on the face at the hairline, later spreading to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.

“We are focused on working with state and local health organizations in this ongoing investigation,” Tanis Maxwell, SCPHD Family and Children’s Health director, stated in the release. “Our priority is to keep the public informed and to support anyone who may have been exposed. If you are concerned about measles, it’s important to take preventive steps and be aware of any symptoms.”

Those who are experiencing symptoms are encouraged to contact their health care provider but should try not to go to clinics, pharmacies or other settings without calling ahead.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the individual received the measles vaccine in childhood, making the incident a rare breakthrough case. Despite these cases, the measles vaccine is still considered to be the “best protection” against the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The two-dose measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is widely available. The first dose is recommended for children between the ages of 12 months to 15 months, and the second dose between the ages of 4-6. Two doses of the vaccine are 97% effective and one dose is 93% effective at preventing measles, according to the CDC.

Friday’s announcement came after Idaho state epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn expressed concern in an April 28 statement that although Idaho had no cases yet in 2025, that could change as the summer arrives.

Anyone with questions about measles or the MMR vaccine are encouraged to contact their primary care provider or call SCPHD at (208) 737-1138.