Maricopa County’s 6th measles case of the year identified at Mesa youth basketball game

PHOENIX — Maricopa County confirmed its sixth measles case of the year Thursday, warning that families at a Mesa youth basketball game may have been exposed to the virus.

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health said Wednesday that people who attended an Arizona Youth Sports basketball game April 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. at a gymnasium at Highland Junior High School may have been exposed and should watch for symptoms through May 2.

The case is not linked to any previous measles cases in the county and has no known source of exposure, according to a department news release about the exposure.

Previous measles cases around the Valley

The new exposure site joins three Queen Creek locations identified last week. Someone who tested positive for measles visited a Costco, a Walmart and an Easter egg hunt at Generation Church Queen Creek before getting an official diagnosis.

In 2025, Arizona recorded 221 cases statewide. So far this year, there have been 72 cases across the state, driven largely by an ongoing outbreak along the Arizona-Utah border in Mohave County.

Health officials urged residents to confirm they are up to date on the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, noting that unvaccinated people have a 90% chance of becoming infected if exposed.

Why you should pay attention to measles

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known.

While most patients recover, measles can cause serious complications including pneumonia, brain swelling and, in rare cases, death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms typically appear seven to 12 days after exposure and include high fever, red and watery eyes, cough, runny nose and a blotchy rash that starts at the hairline and moves down the body.

Anyone who develops symptoms should stay home and call a health care provider before visiting a medical office.

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