Measles cases reported in Coconino County, with potential exposures isolated to Flagstaff

Lacey Latch, Arizona Republic
·2 min read

FLAGSTAFF — One confirmed and one probable case of measles have been reported in Coconino County with potential exposures isolated to Flagstaff, county officials announced on Monday.

These cases come about a month after Maricopa County reported its first case of measles in over a year after someone from outside of the country who was carrying the virus visited Arizona.

Coconino County Health and Human Services has identified five public locations where people may have been exposed to the virus in Flagstaff between Feb. 11 and March 5.

Anyone who was at the following locations at the specified dates and times should monitor for measles symptoms and contact their health care provider if symptoms develop:

  • Planet Fitness, 4650 US Highway 89, Flagstaff, from 11 p.m. on Feb. 11 to 9 a.m. on Feb. 12.

  • NextCare Urgent Care, 399 S. Malpais Lane, Suite 100, Flagstaff, on Feb. 18.

  • Joann Fabric and Craft, 1514 S. Riordan Ranch Road, Flagstaff, from noon to 4 p.m. on Feb. 29.

  • Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency Department, 1200 N. Beaver St., Flagstaff, on March 3 and March 5.

  • SimonMed Imaging Flagstaff, 1000 N. Humphreys St. #100, Flagstaff, on March 4.

The symptoms of measles generally appear about seven to 21 days after exposure and include a high fever, cough, runny nose, blotchy rash, feeling run-down or achy and red, watery eyes. Individuals with a fever and a rash are advised to see a health care provider immediately.

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“Unvaccinated individuals are at highest risk of developing the disease if exposed. The best protection against measles is to receive the measles vaccine,” CCHHS Director Kim Musselman said in the news release.

The vaccination rates for measles among young children in Coconino County, about 87%, are below the recommended threshold of 95% or more to best protect a community and slow or even prevent the spread of disease, Arizona Department of Health Services data shows.

If you experience any symptoms, county health officials said you should self-isolate and contact your health care provider, urgent care or the hospital by phone to schedule a safe time to come into the office without potentially exposing anyone else.

Health care providers who treat a suspected measles case should notify CCHHS or the Arizona Department of Health Services within 24 hours.

Reach the reporter at LLatch@gannett.com.

The Republic’s coverage of northern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. To support regional Arizona news coverage like this, make a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Coconino County reports 2 measles cases in Flagstaff, Arizona