New measles case raises concerns about disease spread
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A newly reported measles case has raised the alarm about community spread in the Valley.
Why it matters: The disease is extremely contagious and can be deadly, especially in babies and young children. About 90% of unvaccinated people contract measles when exposed.
The big picture: An ongoing measles outbreak that began last August along the Arizona-Utah border is responsible for most of the state's measles cases, which hit a 30-plus-year high last year. But since the start of the year, unrelated cases have popped up in the Valley as well.
- This comes as childhood vaccine rates dropped nationwide during the COVID pandemic.
- Maricopa County's rate dropped from 93% in 2018 to 89% in 2024, the Washington Post reported.
The latest: A new local case was reported last week, with a possible exposure at an Arizona Youth Sports basketball game in Mesa on April 11.
- People who were at the game in the Highland Junior High gymnasium between 2 and 5pm are encouraged to watch for symptoms through May 2.
Threat level: This is the sixth case in Maricopa County this year, and the third one that can't be traced to another known case.
- "This highlights the ongoing risk of local transmission and the importance of vaccination and early symptom recognition," per a county public health department news release.
Between the lines: Measles symptoms typically develop one to three weeks after exposure, so officials encourage people who may have come into contact with infected patients to watch for fever, congestion, rashes or red, watery eyes for 21 days.
Other known metro Phoenix exposure points:
- Costco (Ellsworth Road in Queen Creek): April 3, 11am–2pm
- Walmart (Rittenhouse Road in Queen Creek): April 4, 8:15am–10:45am
- Generation Church Queen Creek: April 5, 8:45am–12:30pm