Measles are in Arizona; as of September, two cases have been reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air. Those unvaccinated can get sick by being around the infected person or visiting the same place as them.  The space remains contagious for two hours after the infected person has left.  Symptoms may take from seven to twelve days to appear.

The most common symptoms for measles are high fever greater than 104 degrees, rash, coughing, runny nose, and red and watery eyes.

The best protection from measles is the vaccine. Those who did not receive a vaccination should keep a lookout for the symptoms and search online for any reported locations of measles in the area. If there are any reported cases, find a list of locations that the infected person has visited. For more information, go to the Center for Disease Control and prevention official website https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.

In March, Arizona health officials confirmed a one-year-old to have measles in Pima county. It is believed that the toddler got the disease from someone traveling from Asia, says Marcy Flanagan, director of the Pima County Health Department.

In September, a teen tested positive for measles while visiting Maricopa county for a world dance competition. Officials of the event were informed and said, “Organizers of the championship are fully cooperating with the Maricopa County Health Department and are doing everything in their power to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants and spectators of the event. To their knowledge, there have been no other cases in conjunction with the event reported.”