On July 11th, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) confirmed a second case of measles in an unvaccinated child from Niobrara County, marking the state’s second case in 2025 and the first since 2010. The source of the child’s exposure remains unknown, and there is no connection to the earlier case reported in Natrona County on July 1st.
WDH is actively notifying individuals potentially exposed in Niobrara County, particularly at the healthcare facility where the diagnosis was made. The child may have been infectious while in Converse County, but no public exposure sites have been identified yet. Updates on potential exposure locations and case counts will be posted at health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/disease/measles.
Dr. Alexia Harrist, State Health Officer, emphasized the urgency of vaccination amid a national surge in measles cases, the highest in over 30 years. “Now is the time to make sure you and your family are protected,” she said, highlighting the effectiveness of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is 93% effective. WDH recommends all Wyoming residents ensure they and their children are up-to-date on vaccinations.High-risk groups, including infants too young to be vaccinated, non-immune pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals, face severe complications from measles.
Those potentially exposed should contact their healthcare provider immediately to discuss post-exposure prophylaxis. Measles symptoms—fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a rash starting on the face—typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure. Individuals with symptoms should call their healthcare provider before visiting to prevent further spread and avoid crowded places, especially around vulnerable populations.For more information or to check vaccination status, visit the WDH website or contact a healthcare provider.
