BURLEY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Public health officials said a potential measles exposure has occurred in the Mini-Cassia area.
The South Central Public Health District (SCPHD) announced on Friday that an international traveler visiting Idaho on a business trip had contracted the disease.
The person visited EdgeWater Dining and Spirits on Monday, and the virus could have been circulating from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., according to SCPHD. The traveler also visited Urgent Care of Idaho’s Burley Clinic and Intermountain Health Cassia Regional Hospital on Tuesday. The virus could have been circulating at the urgent care facility from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and at the hospital between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Public health officials have informed the hotel where the person was staying and said that the hotel is informing guests who resided there during the person’s stay, according to SCPHD.
“We are focused on working with state and local health organizations in this ongoing investigation,” said Tanis Maxwell, SCPHD Family and Children’s Health Director. “Our priority is to keep the public informed and to support anyone who may have been exposed. If you are concerned about measles, it’s important to take preventive steps and be aware of any symptoms.”
SCPHD said the person was vaccinated. However, rare breakthrough cases of measles can occur in some people. One dose of the vaccine is 93% effective, and two doses are about 97% effective at preventing the disease, according to SCPHD.
“Emerging data suggests that vaccinated individuals who contract measles may be less infectious and tend to experience milder symptoms compared to those who are unvaccinated,” SCPHD said.
Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, coughing and rashes. The highly contagious viral disease can spread quickly through coughing, sneezing, breathing contaminated air or touching contaminated surfaces, according to SCPHD. The virus can live up to two hours in airspace after an infected person leaves and can spread for up to four days before and after a rash appears.
Those exposed and susceptible to measles may begin showing symptoms anytime between Saturday and June 14.
Public health officials continue to investigate and inform more people who may have been exposed. SCPHD said it is possible that they did not identify more brief exposures.
SCPHD urged anyone exposed to the disease to call their health care provider and monitor symptoms for 21 days after exposure. They also urged people experiencing symptoms not to go into clinics, pharmacies, or other health care settings without calling ahead.
SCPHD encouraged community members to verify their MMR vaccination status for themselves and their families. The health district asked anyone with questions about measles or the vaccine to call (208) 737-1138.
Copyright 2025 KMVT. All rights reserved.