The Pinal County Public Health Services District (PCPHSD) wants to alert residents to a possible measles exposure that occurred Aug. 9-11 at multiple locations in the Phoenix area. A participant at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships held at the Arizona Grand Hotel tested positive for measles.
Potential exposures occurred at the:
- Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, Phoenix
- Arizona Mills Mall, Tempe
- Gila River Arena in Glendale
- Harkins Theatre at Arizona Mills Mall, Tempe
- Sky Harbor International Airport, Terminal 2
If you were at any of those locations between Aug. 9 and Aug. 11, PCPHSD would like to speak with you. Please call them at 520-509-3555, 1-888-431-1311 or 311 if you are in Pinal County.
“We are taking precautions in case any Pinal County residents may have been exposed at either of these locations,” stated PCPHSD Director Dr. Shauna McIsaac. “Measles is highly contagious and because of this it is important that anyone who was at … of these locations, be monitored for 21 days following their exposure.”
According to the notification posted on the Pinal County website, measles symptoms include:
- fever of 101ºF or higher
- red watery eyes, cough and runny nose
- a fever followed by a red, raised and blotchy rash
- the rash typically begins on the face at the hairline and moves down the body
Although measles is a highly contagious viral illness, it is also preventable by vaccinations. If you have received two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine, you are considered to be protected.
“We strongly encourage anyone who has not received two MMR vaccines to be vaccinated now,” McIsaac said.
Vaccines are available from your own health provider. PCPHSD clinics also offer the vaccination at no cost.
The Centers for Disease Control also urges people who will be traveling outside the United States to ensure they are vaccinated. Children, especially those younger than 5, are particularly at risk of catching the disease, and they can develop serious health complications.
In the year 2000, measles was considered to be eliminated in the United States, which means it is no longer constantly present in this country. However, measles is still common in many parts of the world. Every year, measles is brought into the U.S. by unvaccinated travelers who get measles when they are in other countries.
Did you know:
- About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. who come down with measles will be hospitalized?
- One out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling that could lead to brain damage?
- Other complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis?
- One to three people out of 1,000 with measles will die, even those that receive the best care?
- Measles is more likely to spread and cause outbreaks in U.S. communities where groups of people are unvaccinated?
For more information:
cdc.gov/measles
pinalcountyaz.gov/News/Pages/Article.aspx?myID=1543
