(Photo by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

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

The measles outbreak in Pinal County is the largest current one in the U.S.

There have been 22 cases in Arizona since late May. Measles was wiped out in the U.S. in 2000, but it’s returned recently because of some people who have chosen to avoid vaccinations. The Arizona cases are centered around the Eloy Detention Center where, according to Pinal County Health Director Thomas Schryer, the refusal of some employees to get vaccinated may exacerbate the problem.

Raina MacIntyre of the University of New South Wales in Australia is in the Valley this week as part of a presentation at ASU on pandemics, bioterrorism and biosecurity.