Wyoming Department of Health Confirms Third Measles Case of 2026 in Unvaccinated Adult
The Wyoming Department of Health confirmed a third measles case in 2026 on July 11, involving an unvaccinated adult in Teton County. Officials said the new case marks the second unvaccinated adult in Teton County this year and highlights the contagious nature of measles, which can cause severe illness.
This individual is the second unvaccinated adult in Teton County to be diagnosed with measles in 2026, joining a previously reported case of an unvaccinated adult who lives and works within Grand Teton National Park. The other confirmed case this year was an adult from Fremont County, whose vaccination status remains unconfirmed, bringing the statewide total to three cases.
The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) announced on July 11, 2026, that the third confirmed measles case of the year involves an unvaccinated adult residing in Teton County.
Officials said the new case underscores the highly contagious nature of measles, a viral infection that can cause severe illness. The WDH emphasized that measles can remain airborne for hours after an infected person leaves an area, increasing the risk of exposure. The department identified specific locations and time frames where the public may have been exposed to the virus from the third case. These include Smith’s Food and Drug at 1425 South Highway 89 in Jackson on July 5 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and Wendy’s at 525 West Broadway in Jackson on the same day from 12:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Additional exposure windows extend through July 7, from 3 p.m. to midnight, according to the WDH news release.
The department urged anyone who may have been exposed to monitor for symptoms of measles for 21 days following the last potential exposure date. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash. WDH officials advised individuals to avoid crowded public places and high-risk settings such as daycare centers during this monitoring period. State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist reiterated the importance of these precautions in earlier statements related to the first Teton County case. The department also stressed that people exhibiting symptoms should stay home and avoid contact with others unless seeking medical care. Special caution is advised to protect babies, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems from potential exposure.
The WDH’s measles surveillance page, updated July 2, had listed two cases for 2026—one in Fremont County and one in Teton County. The July 11 release explicitly confirmed the additional third case in Teton County. Monique McBride, Chief Policy & Communications Officer for the Wyoming Department of Health, is listed as a contact for further information. The department continues to update its webpage with case counts and exposure locations as investigations proceed.
Records show that the first 2026 Wyoming measles case was reported in Fremont County, marking the first case in the state since 2025, when 15 cases were documented. The first Teton County case is notable as the first measles diagnosis in that county in at least 15 years, according to Wyoming Public Media. Teton County Public Health Director Dr. Travis Riddell confirmed that the initial Teton County patient was hospitalized but has since been discharged and is recovering in isolation.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,231 confirmed measles cases across the United States as of July 9, 2026, situating Wyoming’s cases within a broader surge. The WDH reiterated that unvaccinated individuals are at particular risk after exposure and that vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the primary preventive measure. The department’s guidance aligns with standard public health practices, emphasizing prompt isolation of symptomatic individuals and notification of potential exposures.
The department’s ongoing surveillance and public information efforts reflect the continued monitoring of measles cases and exposure sites throughout Wyoming in 2026. Officials encourage residents to consult the WDH measles webpage for the latest updates as investigations continue.
