JACKSON, Wyo. — Following confirmation of a third case of measles in Teton County, the Board of County Commissioners and the Teton County Health Department (TCHD) have declared a local emergency.
The emergency was declared Monday morning at the request of TCHD Director Travis Riddell due to the outbreak being observed in Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton National Park. Emergencies are declared by local government when a situation “exceeds the capabilities of day-to-day operations,” per TCHD’s announcement.
To drive home the ease with which measles can spread, TCHD shared that if one person is infected, nine out of 10 people of all ages around that person will become infected if they are not protected. TCHD notes that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to protect against the disease.
“The vaccine is safe, effective, and offers protection for your lifetime,” TCHD’s announcement states. “This vaccine is usually given during childhood. One dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles and two doses of MMR vaccine is 97% effective against measles.”
TCHD observed that the Colter Bay location of the outbreak poses specific challenges for containing the spread “due to high density congregate living among concessionaire employees along with the high number of visitors from across the country and around the globe.”
“As this outbreak unfolds, I suggest individuals confirm their own immunity status, or get the MMR vaccine if they cannot confirm it,” Dr. Riddell said in a statement.
