Arizona is reporting the first new measles case in the state in more than a month.
Last fall and winter, Arizona was reporting dozens of measles cases per month. Transmission has slowed dramatically — there were no new cases reported in the state for the past five weeks.
But the extremely contagious virus continues to spread in other parts of the U.S. and around the globe. And public health officials say the new case in Maricopa County was associated with travel.
“We know that measles is elevated across the country as well as in other parts of the world, so it is important to take those precautions, especially if you are going to be traveling,” said Shane Brady, deputy assistant director of preparedness with the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Arizona has reported 344 measles cases since last year, the highest tally in decades. Of those, 95% have been among unvaccinated people.
Brady said as measles continues to spread in the U.S., vaccination offers safe, effective protection.
“[Measles] is serious,” Brady said. “The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get that MMR vaccine.”
Potential exposure location
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health is warning of potential public exposure related to the new case for anyone who visited a Walgreens pharmacy on Via Linda in Scottsdale between 8 a.m. and 10:25 a.m. on Sept. 8. Anyone who may have been exposed should watch for symptoms through Sept. 29.
Symptoms of measles 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.
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.
-
Arizona applied for around $200 million from the Rural Health Transformation Program, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The state will be getting $30 million less than expected. -
Microplastic concentrations in Nevada's Truckee River increased nearly tenfold during spring runoff, according to new research that offers a glimpse into how plastic pollution moves through some western waterways. -
The loss of the Y chromosome is a common genetic change in aging men that also occurs in cancer cells. This was previously thought to be an all-or-nothing event, but a new study from the University of Arizona found that Y chromosome loss is more of a spectrum. -
The department’s first e-bike teams were deployed last month to enable rescue teams to get to rural areas with rugged terrain more quickly. The e-bikes can carry medical supplies and rescue equipment to allow firefighters to provide necessary care and manage rescue operations while waiting for additional crews. -
Yuma physician Irfan Fazil has been convicted on four felony counts related to a massive fraud scheme against AHCCCS — the state’s Medicaid system. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office says Fazil billed patients for services they never received.
