Officials warn of potential measles outbreak in Phoenix
Apr 9, 2014, 1:53 PM | Updated: 2:01 pm
PHOENIX — An unvaccinated person who has measles may have spread the disease around portions of the Valley, Maricopa County Health Officials said Wednesday.
“Measles is the most contagious disease known to man, which is why when we find one case, we must act quickly to identify additional cases and stop the outbreak as soon as possible,” said Dr. Bob England, director of Maricopa County Department of Public Health, in a release.
The individual, who has not been identified, visited several areas in the Valley. Anyone who was at the following locations at the following times is asked to monitor themselves and call their health care provider if they notice anything out of the ordinary.
• March 29: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Terminal 4 from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
• March 30: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Cave Creek Chapel, 38008 N. Basin Road in Cave Creek (Cave Creek, Desert Ridge and Pinnacle Peak Wards) from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
• March 31: Wildflower Bread Company, 15640 N. Hayden Road in Scottsdale from noon until 5 p.m.
• March 31: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Terminal 4 from 3 p.m until 7 p.m.
Measles symptoms typically surface within seven to 12 days of exposure, but some cases take as long as 21 days. Symptoms generally begin with a high fever, red, watery eyes and a cough followed by a raised, red, blotchy rash that moves from the hairline down the body.
It is spread through coughing, sneezing and contact with certain body secretions. It can survive outside the body for hours.
