For the past several weeks, local and state public health have identified cases of measles in both detainees and staff members at a federal detention center in Eloy, Arizona; however no cases have been identified in community members unrelated to the facility. For the past week we have been holding steady at 22 confirmed cases.

Measles can take up to 21 days to develop in a person who has been exposed to a known measles case. Public health keeps a close watch on individuals who may have been exposed to monitor for symptoms of measles, such as fever and rash. If you think you have measles, contact your healthcare provider by phone before seeking medical care.

One of the keys to preventing measles from taking a foothold in a community is making sure all community members are vaccinated.

During this outbreak many vaccination campaigns have been completed , with specific campaigns targeting detainees and employees at the facility. Due to the increase of staff and detainee vaccination, we have been able to interrupt the transmission of measles throughout the facility. If we don’t see any new cases by Saturday, the end of this outbreak may be in sight; however public health will continue enhanced surveillance for 42 days (or two disease incubation periods) before calling the outbreak officially over and ceasing enhanced disease prevention strategies at the facility.

Even when this outbreak is finally over, the threat of another measles outbreak in Arizona is only a plane ride away. Vaccination with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) is the best form of protection against measles disease and the best thing we can do to protect ourselves, our family and our community against measles!

For more information on where you may find a vaccine clinic, please visit StopTheSpreadAZ.org.