– International visitor with measles in Arizona
– Measles outbreak in public spots Arizona.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : An international visitor to the Valley has recently been diagnosed with measles, according to Maricopa County health officials. The patient was infectious at two public locations on January 27th, and health officials are urging anyone who visited these spots to watch for symptoms until February 17th as they may have been exposed.
The public locations where the infectious individual was present are as follows:
1. From 7 a.m. to noon at the breakfast buffet at The Garden Grille and Bar inside the Hilton Garden Inn Chandler Downtown, located at 150 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler.
2. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Twin Peaks Camelback sports bar, located at 2135 E. Camelback Road.
Measles is highly contagious, and individuals who have not been vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine are at risk of getting sick if exposed to the virus. It is important to note that the virus can survive in the air for several hours, meaning people can become infected even after the infected person has left the room.
The symptoms of measles usually begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes. A rash typically appears three to five days later, starting on the forehead and spreading downwards. However, individuals with a depressed immune system and those vaccinated with MMR between 1964 and 1967 may not exhibit a typical rash.
Measles can cause serious illness, particularly in young children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems. In a previous measles outbreak in Tucson in 2008, an unvaccinated Swiss tourist infected 14 people, including a 2-year-old boy who ended up in the intensive care unit for six days with seizures.
Maricopa County health officials are currently in the process of notifying individuals who may have been exposed to the recent measles case. This includes those who may have been exposed during the patient’s hospitalization for measles symptoms.
Dr. Nick Staab, assistant medical director for the county health department, emphasizes the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of measles and the potential for serious symptoms. He encourages residents to stay up-to-date on their vaccines.
It is worth noting that measles cases have been on the rise in Europe, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to call for urgent action. The WHO states that community-wide vaccination is the best way to prevent measles, but vaccination rates have been declining. In 2022, only about 83% of the world’s children received one dose of the measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services, the lowest rate since 2008.
To prevent the spread of measles, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health advises individuals with measles symptoms to self-isolate, stay away from others, and contact their healthcare provider by phone. It is essential to inform the provider about the suspicion of measles to avoid exposing others in the waiting area. If individuals do not have a healthcare provider, they should contact urgent care or a hospital before visiting to inform them of the suspected measles case.
If a healthcare provider suspects measles, they should call 602-506-6767 to notify the county health department immediately for appropriate follow-up.
In conclusion, the recent diagnosis of measles in an international visitor to the Valley has raised concerns about potential exposure at two public locations. Maricopa County health officials are urging anyone who visited these spots on January 27th to be vigilant for symptoms until February 17th. Vaccination remains the best defense against measles, and individuals with symptoms should seek medical attention while taking precautions to prevent further transmission..
1) “International visitor with measles in Arizona public spots”
2) “Measles outbreak in Arizona public areas visited by foreign traveler”.
