RiverStone Health is notifying the public about a possible measles exposure that occurred at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings. Health officials confirmed that an individual who visited the hospital on Sunday, November 8, 2026, tested positive for measles. The person is not a resident of Yellowstone County.
Who may have been exposed
Anyone who rode the hospital’s front‑lobby elevators between 9:45 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on November 8 could have been exposed. RiverStone Health asks those individuals to call the public‑health hotline at 406‑247‑3305 for further instructions.
Response and risk assessment
Hospital staff acted quickly to limit the potential spread. Officials say the exposure was confined to a single location and a short time window, keeping the broader community risk very low. People who are already immune to measles are not considered at risk.
Post‑exposure vaccination
Those who are not immune may receive the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine as post‑exposure protection, but it must be administered by 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, to be effective. RiverStone Health notes that the vaccine can reduce the severity of symptoms if given within this timeframe.
How to get the vaccine
The MMR vaccine is available at the RiverStone Health Immunization Clinic located at 123 South 27th St. in Billings. Appointments can be scheduled online at RiverStoneHealth.org/Immunizations or by calling 406‑247‑3382. The vaccine is covered by insurance and offered at no cost to uninsured individuals.
Official comments
“I want to recognize the team at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital for the exceptional work they did in responding to this situation,” said Jon Forte, Yellowstone City‑County Health Officer and President and CEO of RiverStone Health. “They identified the concern quickly, took the appropriate precautions, and worked side by side with local public health teams. Those actions significantly limited the opportunity for exposure, and the risk to the broader community is very low.”
About measles
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air after the person leaves an area. Symptoms may appear up to 21 days after exposure and include fever, runny nose, red or watery eyes, rash, and small spots inside the mouth. People can transmit the virus from four days before a rash appears through four days after the rash develops.
Infants, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious complications. The CDC recommends two doses of a measles‑containing vaccine for school‑aged children, healthcare workers, college students, and international travelers, and one dose for preschool‑aged children and adults who are not considered high‑risk. Adults born before 1957 are generally presumed immune.
Next steps for residents
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed should call ahead before visiting any healthcare facility so staff can take appropriate precautions. RiverStone Health continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as needed.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
