KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — Panhandle Health District (PHD) confirmed Monday the first measles case in Idaho’s northern Panhandle in more than three decades, involving an unvaccinated child in Kootenai County.
“Measles is really one of the most infectious diseases known to humankind,” said Dr. Christine Hahn with the Idaho Department of Health and Wellness.
Health officials said they are working to trace how the child contracted the virus and are contacting locations the patient visited while infectious.
“It can be very tough to sometimes figure out where somebody got infected,” Hahn said.
Last week, measles was detected in wastewater in Kootenai County.
Measles spreads through airborne droplets and can remain in the air for up to two hours, according to health officials. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a distinctive rash.
“It can make people quite sick in about 1 to 5 or so,” said Hahn. “People might end up in the hospital with it.”
Cases have been reported in 41 jurisdictions this year, including neighboring states Washington, Montana, Oregon and Wyoming, according to health data. Nationwide, 13% have required hospitalization.
The measles vaccine provides lifelong protection with two childhood doses, health officials said.
The CDC says Kindergarten vaccination rates for measles (MMR) in Idaho are 13% below the national average.
“We’ve been worrying about this for a while, trying to remind parents to make sure they and their family are up-to-date on the vaccines,” said Hahn.
Anyone experiencing measles symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately before visiting medical facilities, according to the Panhandle Health District.
For more information about measles, visit www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
