PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Maricopa County Department of Public Health confirmed one new measles case in a Maricopa County resident, bringing the county’s total to 14 cases in 2026.
MCDPH said the new case is linked to a confirmed local case with no travel history or known exposure source, indicating the source was likely within Maricopa County.
Health officials said it underscores the ongoing risk of local transmission during the outbreak and the importance of vaccination and early symptom recognition.
“There are two key steps to stopping this outbreak: prevention and reducing spread,” said Dr. Nick Staab, chief medical officer for MCDPH. “We have a safe vaccine that is very effective at preventing illness, and for individuals who do get sick, please stay home and away from others so you don’t make them sick also.”
Public notifications are issued when exposed individuals cannot be identified, allowing people who may have been in a public setting at the same time as an infectious person to learn of their potential exposure and take protective steps. MCDPH said it will provide public notifications through the media and update its online list of exposure sites as additional public exposures are identified.
Public exposure sites
People who were at the following locations on the dates and times listed may have been exposed and should watch for symptoms. Health officials note the measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours, and the listed exposure windows account for that. These exposures are accurate as of May 8, 2026 and are currently within the watch period.
LocationDateTimeWatch for symptoms through this dateNEW: Starbound Dance Competition4132 E. Pecos Rd.Gilbert, AZ 85295Saturday, May 23:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.Saturday, May 23NEW: Walgreens21212 E. Ocotillo Rd.Queen Creek, AZ 85142Monday, May 411:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Monday, May 25NEW: Hobby Lobby20004 S. Ellsworth Rd.Queen Creek, AZ 85142Monday, May 46:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.Monday, May 25The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints10725 E. Point Twenty-Two Blvd.Mesa, AZ 85212Sunday, April 1911:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Sunday, May 10AZ Athletic Grounds Building A 6321 S. Ellsworth Rd.Mesa, AZ 85212Thursday, April 239:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Thursday, May 14Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt5022 S. Power Rd. #108 Mesa, AZ 85212 Saturday, April 25
6:45 p.m.-9:30 p.m.Saturday, May 16Fry’s Food Store2724 S. Signal Butte Rd.Mesa, AZ 85209 Tuesday, April 28
12:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m.Tuesday, May 19V’s Barbershop9317 E. Ray Rd. #106Mesa, AZ 85212 Tuesday, April 282:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.Tuesday, May 19Target5110 S. Power Rd.Mesa, AZ 85212Wednesday, April 293:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.Wednesday, May 20Boba CuCue Bubble Tea House5229 S. Power Rd.#101Mesa, AZ 85212Wednesday, April 293:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.Wednesday, May 20Chili’s Grill & Bar5016 S. Power Rd.Mesa, AZ 85212Wednesday, April 295:15 p.m.-8:00 p.m.Wednesday, May 20Chick-fil-A4908 S. Power Rd.Mesa, AZ 85212 Wednesday, April 295:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.Wednesday, May 20Thursday, April 305:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.Thursday, May 21In-N-Out Burger1650 S. Stapley Dr.Mesa, AZ 85204Sunday, May 33:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m.Sunday, May 24
The highly infectious virus can survive in the air for up to two hours, which was factored into the listed exposure times above.
“We’re asking that if you have either been notified of exposure or may have been at one of these public places at these dates and times that are listed, we’re asking people first to know their vaccination status,” Staab said.
Symptoms typically appear seven to 12 days after exposure, but can take up to 21 days. Measles symptoms include a high fever (above 101 degrees), red, watery eyes, cough and runny nose. A red, raised and blotchy rash typically shows up following those symptoms, beginning near a person’s hairline on the face and spreading to other parts of the body.
“Our biggest concern is for folks who are unvaccinated,” Staab said.
About 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to measles will become infected, health officials say. If symptoms develop, MCDPH says you should stay home and call your health care provider for guidance.
“This highlights the ongoing risk of local transmission during this outbreak, and the importance of vaccination and early symptom recognition,” MCDPH said in a news release.
The majority of measles cases in Arizona this year are in Mohave County, with 70 confirmed cases. See the statewide list here.
Maricopa County health officials confirmed three new measles cases, with several possible exposure sites in Mesa.(Arizona’s Family)
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