Measles cases climb to 14 in Maricopa County as Gilbert, Queen Creek exposure sites flagged

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health confirmed a new measles case on Friday, bringing the county’s 2026 total to 14 and the state’s total to 90.

The latest case is linked to a previously confirmed local case that had no travel history or known exposure source, suggesting the virus is spreading within the community, health officials said.

“There are two key steps to stopping this outbreak: prevention and reducing spread,” Dr. Nick Staab, chief medical officer for the health department, said in a news statement. “We have a safe vaccine that is very effective at preventing illness, and for individuals who do get sick, please stay home and away from others so you don’t make them sick also.”

Health officials identified three new public exposure sites where people may have been exposed to the virus:

• Starbound Dance Competition, 4132 E. Pecos Road in Gilbert, on May 2 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Walgreens, 21212 E. Ocotillo Road in Queen Creek, on May 4 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Hobby Lobby, 20004 S. Ellsworth Road in Queen Creek, on May 4 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Additional exposure sites identified in recent weeks include locations in Mesa such as Target, Chick-fil-A, Chili’s, In-N-Out Burger and Fry’s Food Stores.

The measles virus can linger in the air for up to two hours, and roughly 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will become infected, officials said.

Symptoms include high fever, red and watery eyes, cough, runny nose and a red, blotchy rash.

People who may have been exposed are urged to check their vaccination status, watch for symptoms and contact a health care provider before seeking in-person care to avoid spreading the virus.

Arizona logged 220 measles cases in 2025.

Related

Maricopa County announces 3 new measles cases, identifies 10 exposure sites in MesaMaricopa County's 6th measles case of the year identified at Mesa youth basketball gameMeasles exposure identified at Queen Creek Easter egg hunt, 2 other sitesArizona erases more than $1 billion in medical debt for nearly 671,000 residentsArizona joins 22-state lawsuit to block federal insurance rule that would gut ACA protectionsAbrazo Arizona Heart Hospital expands capacity to meet Arizona’s growing heart care demand