The Maricopa County Department of Public Health is warning that travelers and workers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport may have recently been exposed to measles.
A traveler with an infectious case of measles passed through Sky Harbor in Terminal 4 on the afternoon of Jan. 29. The individual was not a resident of Maricopa County.
People who are not vaccinated are at the highest risk for measles. But health officials say everyone who was at Sky Harbor between 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 29 should watch for symptoms through Feb. 19.
Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known. The virus can linger in the air for two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. And the virus will infect 90% of unvaccinated people who come in contact with it.
Symptoms of measles typically appear seven to 12 days after exposure but may take up to 21 days to appear. Symptoms include high fever, cough and a rash that is red, raised and blotchy. The rash begins after other symptoms, usually on the face at the hairline and moves down the body.
Arizona has confirmed 34 measles cases since the start of this year.
Previous possible exposures
Maricopa County public health officials are warning of possible public measles exposures for anyone who visited the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa on Jan. 23 or 24; Gilbert locations of Target on Jan. 13, EOS Fitness on Jan. 13 or 15, or Sam’s Club on Jan. 15.; or the Hale Theatre in Gilbert Jan. 5-9.
Pima County health officials are warning of possible exposures at two El Rio Health Center locations in Tucson on Jan. 13, 14, 21 and 22; a Tucson Fry’s location on Jan. 21; and a Tucson El Herradero supermarket on Jan. 22.
