With two cases of measles confirmed by officials in Flathead County and more continuing to show up across the state, local health and county entities are keeping a close eye on the disease.  

“It's always concerning when it's been since 1990 since measles was last in Montana,” Dr. Cory Short, Chief Medical Officer at Logan Health said earlier this month. “That’s always a concern. We’ve had a very contagious disease that has been controlled for decades and now its here.” 

As of June 10, there were 20 confirmed cases across the state, according to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, with two of those cases resulting in hospitalization. There have been two confirmed cases in Flathead County, the most recent reported on May 29. 

As of June 5, 1,168 cases were confirmed across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been 17 outbreaks reported; three people have died. 

While death rates have been falling worldwide as more children receive the measles vaccine, the virus still kills one to three out of every 1,000 children who become infected with it due to respiratory and neurological complications. 

“Measles, you know, by and large in the majority of cases patients will recover with supportive care,” Short said. “But there are a percentage of measles patients who will go on to develop more severe symptoms like measles pneumonia and respiratory failure. There’s what’s called encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain.” 

In March, when measles first started spreading in Texas, Logan Health, Flathead City-County Health Department and other health-focused organizations in the county began meeting as an infection proactive team.  

The group, called the Measles Work Group, determines the response protocol for outpatient, inpatient and emergency cases, Short said. They have also begun discussions with facilities teams to determine the best way to protect buildings and clinics in case of an outbreak.  

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can exist in the air and on surfaces for two hours. The virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and is so contagious that if one person has it, nine out of 10 people around them will also become infected if not protected, according to the state public health department.  

“In the instance of a measles outbreak, our staff would follow disease-specific guidance, investigation procedures, and mitigation protocols tailored to measles,” said Lisa Dennison, the county’s population health manager, in a statement. 

With the summer season underway, meaning increased travel to and from the area, Dennison encouraged residents to verify their vaccination status, be aware of symptoms and call their health care provider with any questions.  

THE BEST protection is via the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which is supposed to be given in two doses during childhood.  

“I always encourage anybody who has concerns about shots, vaccinations, health care, to have an open, honest dialogue with their primary care providers, pediatricians,” Short said, stating that vaccinations have contributed to positive health outcomes for decades.  

Measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000. Herd immunity is reached when enough people are immune to a virus to hinder its spread. For measles, herd immunity is reached when roughly 94% of people are protected against the virus.   

The Flathead Valley is not at herd immunity, Logan Health pediatrician Ken Graham told the Inter Lake earlier this year.  

About 86% of Montana’s two-year-olds have at least one dose of MMR vaccine, according to the state Department of Public Health and Human Services. That is slightly lower than the national average of 90%.     

“Whether its polio, measles, smallpox, there are so many devastating viral illnesses that vaccines have been significantly reducing the numbers,” Short said.  

Vaccination rates against measles fell after the Covid-19 pandemic in more than 80% of 2,000 counties across the country, according to a Johns Hopkins University study, published on June 2 in JAMA, the journal of the American Medical Association.  

While Montana is omitted from the study due to a lack of available data, researchers on the study worry that if vaccination rates continue to decline nationally, “measles is likely to return to endemic levels in the [United States].” 

UNVACCINATED CHILDREN are a significant at-risk group when it comes to infection. Day cares across the valley are also paying close attention to the virus.  

“Right now, all of our kids are vaccinated so that’s in our favor,” said Leigh Anne Downie, the early learning director at Immanuel Living.  

Mishael Jelley, the owner of Flathead Childcare, echoed the sentiment that vaccinations are a big consideration right now.  

“We currently accept religious exemptions for vaccinations, but in light of this situation, I’m seriously reconsidering that policy,” Jelley said. One of her employees has an infant at home, she said.  

“I’ve definitely felt the weight of trying to respond appropriately to the recent measles case. Balancing the need for caution without causing unnecessary panic,” she said.  

Outside of vaccinations, the best thing to do is be aware of your surroundings and isolate if you think you display any symptoms.  

The first symptoms usually are a fever, dry cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. About two weeks after first contact with the disease, it's common to see a rash that starts on the face or neck and spreads down the body. 

“For the majority of us [doctors], measles is something we only read about, not a disease in the United States that we actively treat,” Short said. “We are now actively seeing that change.” 

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].