Lewis and Clark County confirms five new measles cases
Five measles cases were confirmed after exposure at St. Peter’s Emergency Department in Helena, and officials said most of the county is fully immunized.
Lewis and Clark Public Health confirmed five new measles cases in the county, and exposure was limited to St. Peter’s Emergency Department, narrowing the immediate risk to people there late Sunday night and early Monday morning. The county press release put the exposure window at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, March 29, to 3 a.m. Monday, March 30, while the county outbreak page puts it at 11:15 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Health officials called for no panic and said most of the population is fully immunized against measles. The five cases were not tied to local schools or daycares. The people at highest risk remain those who are unvaccinated, immunocompromised, or too young to receive the vaccine.
Measles symptoms can show up days after exposure, so families with anyone in the St. Peter’s Emergency Department window should watch closely for fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and the telltale rash that usually follows. The CDC puts measles symptoms at about 7 to 14 days after contact. If symptoms develop, stay home and call a health care provider before showing up in person so staff can take precautions.
The county’s new cases come after Lewis and Clark County confirmed a single measles case on Aug. 18, 2025, the first in decades. That case had no evidence of community transmission or public exposure sites.
Amber Johnson is the contact for the March 31 release at 406-558-9459 or 406-457-8990.
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