Maricopa County confirms 3 new measles cases; likely infected locally
AZ Family • • general
Key Points:
- Maricopa County Department of Public Health confirmed three new measles cases in the East Valley, bringing the county’s total to 13 cases this year, with no known travel or exposure source, indicating local transmission.
- Possible exposure sites include multiple locations near Mesa Gateway Airport between April 19 and May 3, with specific dates and times listed for each site; individuals who visited these places should monitor for symptoms until the specified dates.
- Measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours; symptoms usually appear 7-12 days after exposure and include high fever, red eyes, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive rash.
- Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination, noting that about 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed to measles will become infected, and urge anyone with symptoms to stay home and contact their healthcare provider.
- The majority of Arizona’s measles cases this year are in Mohave County, with 70 confirmed cases, highlighting ongoing local transmission risks statewide.
