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Two New Measles Cases Reported From Eloy Detention Center

measles virus particle
(Photo by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
An illustration of a spherical-shaped, measles virus particle.

Measles cases in the state grew to 13 after Arizona health officials confirmed two more at the Eloy Detention Center.

Two additional detainees were diagnosed with measles today. That makes nine detainees altogether. Four employees at the facility also have been diagnosed.

Joe Pyritz with the Pinal County Government said if you think you have measles, don’t just go to the doctor right away.

“Make sure you call them ahead of time so that they can arrange to get you in a different room or a different place away from those who are in the waiting room, because the last thing we want to do is to be able to spread it even further,” Pyritz said.

Pyritz said measles lasts in the air for two hours, so you can still be exposed to the virus even if a diagnosed person isn’t there at the same time as you.

For a list of identified exposure sites, check the state health department’s website.

Katy Burge was an intern at KJZZ in 2016.