The Maricopa County Department of Public Health confirmed on April 16 a new measles case in a local resident, marking the sixth such case reported in the county for 2026. Officials said this latest infection is not linked to previous cases and has no known source of exposure.
The department emphasized the ongoing risk of local transmission and underscored the importance of vaccination and early symptom recognition. When exposed individuals cannot be identified, public notifications are issued so that those who may have been present at certain locations can take steps to protect themselves.
A new public exposure site was added: Arizona Youth Sports Basketball game at 6915 E. Guadalupe Rd., Mesa, on Saturday, April 11 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Other previously identified sites include Costco (20260 S. Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek) on April 3, Walmart (21055 E. Rittenhouse Rd., Queen Creek) on April 4, and Generation Church Queen Creek (22801 Via Del Jardin) during a Sunday school event on April 5. People who were at these locations during specified times are advised to check their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms such as high fever, red eyes, cough, runny nose, or rash.
Health officials recommend that infants aged six to eleven months receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine due to ongoing local transmission risks. Measles remains highly contagious; about ninety percent of unvaccinated people exposed will become infected according to CDC guidance referenced by health authorities.
While there is no treatment for measles itself—only supportive care—vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure available. Serious complications can occur from infection including long-term neurological issues like subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
Residents can check immunization records through myIR via the Arizona Department of Health Services or contact MCDPH CARES Team for assistance with vaccine information.
In other education-related data from Maricopa County schools, 62.9% of students in grades three through eight did not pass the mathematics section of last year’s AASA assessment while 65% of high schoolers failed mathematics on last year’s ACT exam according to state education data.57.2% of students in grades three through eight did not pass English language arts last year’s AASA test while 57% failed English on last year’s ACT exam.33.9% percent of high schoolers passed math on this year’s ACT assessment while 36% percent passed math among third- through eighth-graders this year’s AASA exam according to state reports.
