2 additional measles cases confirmed in Maricopa County

By Greg Hahne

Published: Thursday, February 22, 2024 - 3:01pm

Updated: Thursday, February 22, 2024 - 3:40pm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

An illustration of a spherical-shaped, measles virus particle.

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health has identified two new cases of measles in the Valley.

They’ve been linked to an international visitor who tested positive for the disease earlier this month.

Dr. Nick Staab is the assistant medical director with county health.

"So it can transmit very easily between individuals who are not vaccinated and that's really the point here is that if you are vaccinated, it's very unlikely if you're exposed to measles that you'll get sick," Staab said.

Symptoms often include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes. A rash that usually starts on the forehead before spreading can appear within 5 days.

The county listed five more locations in the East Valley, including restaurants and a car rental location, where people might have been exposed.

According to the CDC, about 90% of people who are not immune and come in contact with someone who has measles will become infected.

“Because transmission had stopped in the early 2000s, we were hoping to get back to that point. So any single case of measles is an outbreak leads to a response from Public Health," Staab said.

Staab said vaccination rates for measles dropped during the pandemic. The World Health Organization says herd immunity for the virus is generally achieved when 95-percent of the population is vaccinated.

Symptoms can present themselves 21 days after an exposure.

The additional locations and symptom watch times are below:

Honey and Vine Restaurant at San Tan Mountain