New Details: Highly Contagious Disease Spreading Fast in MT

BUTTE, MT - Montana is facing a growing public health scare as a once-eradicated disease makes an alarming return—and it's spreading faster than many expected.

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The measles virus, one of the most contagious diseases known to humans, has reemerged in the Treasure State after nearly three decades of silence.

What began as a small, isolated cluster in Gallatin County has now expanded, with 11 confirmed cases across Montana—nine in Gallatin, and one each in Flathead and Hill counties.

The most recent report? An unvaccinated child in Hill County.

Health officials are raising red flags, warning that the conditions for a full-blown outbreak are already here.

While that may sound dramatic, it’s no exaggeration.

Measles spreads through coughing, sneezing, and even just lingering in a room up to two hours after an infected person has left. And once infected, symptoms like fever, rash, and respiratory issues can quickly escalate into pneumonia, brain swelling, or worse—especially in children.

Why This Outbreak Feels Different

Montana hasn't seen measles cases like this since the 1990s.

The sudden spike—11 cases since April 2025—marks not just a regional uptick, but a part of a broader national resurgence.

As of late May, over 1,046 cases have been confirmed across 31 U.S. states and jurisdictions. That’s nearly four times the total number of U.S. cases in all of 2024.

And of those cases, 92% are linked to outbreaks.

What’s changed? Health officials say vaccination gaps may be to blame. Some children and even adults missed routine MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines due to pandemic-related delays or personal choice—leaving communities vulnerable.

Gallatin County in the Hot Seat

Gallatin County is the epicenter of the current outbreak, home to the first reported measles cases in Montana in nearly 30 years.

Officials say the initial eight cases, reported in April, were contained within a single household. But the latest case—a non-household adult—has public health workers on high alert.

Check Your Vaccine Status

State health officials are now urging Montanans to double-check their immunization records.

The MMR vaccine is 97% effective after two doses. Still, those born before 1957 or unsure of their vaccination history may need a booster.

But the clock is ticking.