HILDALE, Utah — In Hildale, Utah, and its twin town just across the border, Colorado City, Arizona, conversations about vaccinations are rare. Outsiders may never hear about them at all. For decades, residents of these towns have lived behind high walls, guarding their privacy and wary of outside influence. Yet, despite their precautions, measles found its way into the community.
Read More: Toyota to Launch the World’s First Robot City This Year: Top Tech News
A Growing Outbreak
As of Friday, 161 cases of measles have been confirmed across Utah and Arizona, with the majority concentrated in Short Creek, the name collectively used for Hildale and Colorado City. Eleven people — eight in Utah and three in Arizona — have been hospitalized due to complications from the virus.
Short Creek has now become the site of the second-largest measles outbreak in the United States this year. Only the outbreak spanning West Texas and New Mexico, which sickened over 860 people and resulted in three deaths, surpasses it.
Both Short Creek and the West Texas outbreak share certain traits: low vaccination rates, skepticism toward government and modern medicine, and deep ties to religious communities — the Mennonites in West Texas and mostly former members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) in Short Creek.
The Shadow of the Past
For Short Creek, the challenges are layered. This is a community still dealing with its history of polygamy, child removal, and the control of a cultlike leader, Warren Jeffs, now imprisoned for sexual assault of minors.
“We had so much trauma,” said Donia Jessop, mayor of Hildale and a former FLDS member. “Getting kids vaccinated or a booster was not the first thing on our mind.”
The FLDS Church formed after some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continued practicing polygamy despite it being outlawed over a century ago. Many of them settled in Short Creek, creating a tightly-knit, insular community.
Jessop recalls growing up in the 1970s and ’80s surrounded by extended family. “I had an ideal childhood,” she said. “I was guaranteed a spanking or a meal from any mom in town because we were raised like a village.”
Trauma, Raids, and Distrust
Polygamy has long been illegal, and Short Creek has endured federal intervention. The government raided the community twice — in 1953 and 2008 — forcibly removing children temporarily to investigate claims of abuse. Though the children were eventually returned, the trauma created generations of fear and mistrust.
“Afterward, we were extremely hesitant about being told what to do,” said Gloria Steed, who was 14 during the 2008 raid. Her mother, influenced by these events, developed deep-seated skepticism of government systems, including vaccinations.
There was no explicit religious ban on vaccines, Jessop said. She herself was vaccinated as a child. But the rise of Warren Jeffs as prophet in 2002 changed the narrative. As the community’s spiritual leader, Jeffs claimed divine authority and often spread misinformation about immunizations.
Briell Decker, Jeffs’ 65th wife, explained that he told followers vaccines were harmful and could affect fertility. In a community that prioritized large families, this message spread fear. Jeffs also restricted access to medical care for those he considered unworthy and eventually shut down local clinics entirely.
Jeffs, placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, was arrested in 2006 and now serves a life sentence. Yet the scars remain, and rebuilding the basics — water, schools, healthcare — has been a slow process.
The Role of Alternative Medicine
Even as clinics reopened, many residents turned to natural remedies rather than conventional medical care. Paty’s Place, a popular health food store in Hildale, became a source of advice for some seeking alternatives to vaccination. While the store encouraged residents to follow qualified medical guidance, the popularity of herbal and natural remedies shows how ingrained skepticism toward mainstream medicine remains.
A similar pattern was observed in West Texas, where parents sought unproven remedies like cod liver oil during the measles outbreak.
COVID and Vaccine Hesitancy
The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated efforts to restore routine healthcare in Short Creek. Parents, exposed to an influx of misinformation, became wary of vaccines. “They are trying to do what they think is best for their child,” said Aaron Hunt, a public health expert with Utah State University Extension.
The hesitancy isn’t limited to measles. Whooping cough is spreading in Utah, too, illustrating the broader impact of declining vaccination rates.
The Rise in Vaccinations
Despite decades of hesitation, the current outbreak has prompted a noticeable shift. Mayor Donia Jessop reported a “sharp rise” in vaccinations since the outbreak began. Southwest Utah Public Health Department data shows a 14% increase in vaccinations from July to September compared with the same period last year.
While MMR vaccination rates in Arizona have remained steady, Short Creek’s residents are increasingly recognizing the importance of immunization.
Personal Stories: Trust and Change
Gloria Steed, who grew up in the FLDS community, remembers suffering from whooping cough and chickenpox. Initially skeptical of vaccines, she allowed her 9-year-old son, Jhonde, to receive key shots to protect him from the illnesses she endured as a child.
“When the outbreak began, I got the MMR vaccine because I was preparing to become a surrogate,” she said, noting the risks measles pose during pregnancy. Her son received his second dose the same day.
“The vaccines are working. It’s been a blessing to see that,” Steed said. She emphasized the importance of doctors who listen to patients rather than pressure them, drawing a parallel between trust in medicine and the personal autonomy lost during her upbringing in the FLDS community.
Spread Beyond Short Creek
The outbreak is not contained to the twin towns. Measles exposures have been reported in St. George and Hurricane, Utah. Salt Lake County reported a probable case, though the individual refused testing.
Local families, like Becky Goimarac’s in St. George, are grateful for vaccines but saddened by the resurgence of preventable diseases. “I personally wasn’t concerned because my kids are vaccinated,” she said. “But it’s sad we even have to worry about this.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the current measles outbreak in Short Creek?
The outbreak is primarily due to low vaccination rates in the community, historical distrust of government and modern medicine, and misinformation spread in the past by the FLDS leadership.
How many people have been affected?
As of the latest reports, 161 measles cases have been confirmed in Utah and Arizona, mostly concentrated in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona. Eleven people required hospitalization.
Why are vaccination rates so low in Short Creek?
Decades of trauma, anti-government sentiment, and distrust of outsiders have contributed. Additionally, former FLDS leader Warren Jeffs spread false claims that vaccines could affect fertility, discouraging many residents from immunizing their children.
Are vaccines allowed in the community?
Yes, there is no religious mandate against vaccinations. Many residents were vaccinated historically, but social pressures and misinformation reduced vaccine uptake in recent years.
How is the community responding to the outbreak now?
Since the outbreak began, vaccination rates have risen sharply. Local health officials report a 14% increase in immunizations in the affected area between July and September compared to the same period last year.
What measures are being taken to prevent further spread?
Public health officials are encouraging vaccination, providing accurate medical guidance, and monitoring potential exposures in neighboring towns. Residents are increasingly seeking vaccines and relying on trusted local healthcare providers.
Has measles spread beyond Short Creek?
Yes, exposures have been reported in St. George and Hurricane, Utah. Salt Lake County also reported a probable case.
Conclusion
The Short Creek outbreak highlights the challenges of rebuilding trust in healthcare after years of isolation and trauma. Misinformation, historical abuses, and skepticism have created a delicate landscape where public health initiatives must tread carefully.
Still, the growing acceptance of vaccines in the community offers hope. Public health experts stress the importance of honest conversations, patient empowerment, and respect for personal experiences. In a town once ruled by coercion and fear, restoring choice and trust may prove as vital as the vaccines themselves.
