Maricopa County officials confirm measles spread in Valley, 2 new cases

PHOENIX — Measles has officially begun to spread in the Valley after the first case of the disease was confirmed last week, according to Maricopa County health officials.

Three sites in Gilbert were identified as places where the public could be at risk for exposure: Target (1515 E. Warner Road), EOS Fitness (3025 S. Val Vista Drive) and Sam’s Club (1225 N. Gilbert Road).

Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) said two individuals “may have been exposed” at these locations from Jan. 13 to 15. Anyone who was at any of these places during that time period is advised to watch for symptoms through Feb. 5.

Measles symptoms to keep an eye on include the following:

• Fever
• Red, watery eyes
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Forming rash (appears red, raised up and blotchy typically on the face and may last five to six days).

Symptoms usually appear between seven to 12 days after exposure to the disease, which is spread through the air for up to two hours.

Dr. Nick Staab, chief medical officer for MCDPH, said vaccines are the easiest way to prevent measles infection.

“Preventing continued spread of measles is a community effort,” Staab said in a press release. “Raising immunization rates in our community will help us avoid future occurrences of community transmission like we are seeing now.”

When to get measles vaccine and what to do if symptoms set in

MCDPH recommends that babies aged six to 11 months get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine as well as additional doses at one year old and four to six years old.

People born before 1957 or who had measles as a child are considered medically immune from further cases.

Unvaccinated people have about a 90% chance of measles infection when exposed.

If you begin to notice an onset of symptoms, MCDPH advises you to contact your medical provider and to be tested, as the disease can result in “serious outcomes” if not given needed attention.

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