Health Alert: Confirmed Measles case under investigation in Pima County
PIMA COUNTY, Jan. 1, 2026 – Pima County Health Department (PCHD) officials are working with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), and the Santa Cruz County Health and Human Services Department to investigate a confirmed case of measles involving an individual who recently traveled across the border into southern Arizona. The individual was quickly hospitalized and isolated in a medical facility in Tucson.
The overall risk to public is low and there is no known public exposure at this time. PCHD, ADHS, and regional health care systems are on high alert.
Measles is a highly contagious but preventable disease. Vaccination is the most effective protection. If you are unvaccinated, you are at higher risk for contracting the disease. There have been 205 cases of measles in Arizona since June. This is the first in Pima County.
Symptoms typically appear 14 days after exposure and may include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, followed by a rash. If anyone suspects they have measles symptoms they should stay home to prevent further spread and contact their healthcare provider or PCHD-Epidemiology for further guidance at 520-724-7797.
Public health officials will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. PCHD is not conducting media interviews on Jan 1. Health Director Dr. Theresa Cullen will be available via Teams for media questions Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. She also will discuss concerns of high levels of influenza in the County. To participate in the Teams availability, email healthcommunications@pima.gov.
For more information about measles and where to get vaccinations, go to pima.gov/measles.
More about measles:
- Measles is a serious viral infection that can cause permanent damage or even death, especially for children under age 5. Measles is one of the most contagious illnesses—it can spread through direct contact, infected surfaces, and live in the air for up to 2 hours.
- One infected person can potentially infect 9-18 unvaccinated people, and the virus can spread before symptoms start (up to 4 days before a rash appears).
- Symptoms can begin about 14 days after being exposed and can include a high fever (104 °F to 105.8 °F), a full-body rash that usually starts a few days after the fever, cough, runny nose, diarrhea and red, watery eyes.
- Serious complications can include permanent hearing problems or vision loss, pneumonia, brain damage, and death.
Beware of myths about measles
- A “natural infection” of measles carries higher risks than getting vaccinated. In recent outbreaks, about 93% of people infected weren’t immunized and almost 20% of infected children age five and under had to be hospitalized.
- Vitamin A does not protect against measles infections.
- There is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.
More info:
AZDHS, Measles
CDC - Measles Cases and Outbreaks
CDC - Questions About Measles
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