Measles cases have been reported in Gallatin County, Montana, marking the first confirmed instances of the infectious disease in the state since 1990. Five individuals, including children and adults, have tested positive for measles after being exposed to the virus while traveling out of state.
According to the state Department of Public Health and Human Services, all five individuals are isolating at home and were either unvaccinated or their vaccine status is unknown. The county health department has identified two locations where potential exposure occurred: Interwest Tire in Belgrade on April 14 and North Coast Electric in Bozeman on April 11.
Montana is now one of 26 nationwide jurisdictions with measles cases, with a total of 712 confirmed cases as of April 10, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of cases have affected unvaccinated individuals, particularly those under 19 years old.
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, white spots in the mouth, and a red rash that appears 14 days after exposure. Infants under 12 months are at high risk due to their age and lack of recommended vaccinations.
State officials emphasize the importance of vaccination in preventing measles outbreaks. With no data on local vaccination rates available, Montana’s situation highlights the need for community-wide immunity.
Source: https://montanafreepress.org/2025/04/17/montana-confirms-5-measles-cases-in-gallatin-county