Measles Outbreak Spreads to Utah High Schools

Unvaccinated students at Highland High School and Stansbury High School exposed to measles virus

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A measles outbreak in Utah has continued to spread, with recent clusters of cases reported at two high schools in the state. An unvaccinated student at Highland High School in Salt Lake City attended classes while infectious from February 6 to February 13, potentially exposing hundreds of other students. A similar incident occurred at Stansbury High School in Tooele County, where a student tested positive after attending a multi-district school event. Health officials are urging unvaccinated students to monitor for symptoms and all residents to ensure they are up-to-date on MMR vaccinations.

Why it matters

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious complications, especially in unvaccinated individuals. This outbreak highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect both individual and community health, as the presence of unvaccinated people creates opportunities for the virus to circulate and pose a risk to vulnerable populations.

The details

The Salt Lake County Health Department has notified parents of students who may have had direct contact with the infected individual at Highland High School, as well as all students lacking vaccination records. Unvaccinated students have been advised to closely monitor themselves for symptoms, with health officials noting a significant – 90% – chance of infection for those who were in close proximity to the student or within spaces the student occupied within two hours of their presence. A similar incident occurred at Stansbury High School in Tooele County, where a student tested positive after attending a multi-district school event.

  • From February 6 to February 13, an unvaccinated student at Highland High School in Salt Lake City attended classes while infectious.
  • On February 9 and February 10, a student at Stansbury High School in Tooele County was infectious after attending a multi-district school event.
  • As of Tuesday, February 18, 2026, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services reported a total of 300 confirmed measles cases in the current outbreak, with 58 new cases identified in the preceding three weeks.

The players

Utah Department of Health and Human Services

The state agency responsible for monitoring and responding to the measles outbreak in Utah.

Salt Lake County Health Department

The local health department that notified parents of students potentially exposed to measles at Highland High School.

Utah High School Activities Association

The organization involved in the activity where the Stansbury High School student was initially infected, though specific details remain limited.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure that all students and community members are up-to-date on their MMR vaccinations to protect against the spread of this highly contagious virus.”

— Dr. Jennifer Chen, Public Health Expert (newsdirectory3.com)

What’s next

Health officials are urging all individuals to ensure they are up-to-date on their MMR vaccinations, and for those experiencing measles symptoms to stay home and contact a healthcare provider before seeking medical attention.

The takeaway

This measles outbreak in Utah underscores the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect both individual and community health, as the presence of unvaccinated individuals creates opportunities for the virus to circulate and pose a risk to vulnerable populations.