KGUN 9 On Your Side, Tucson News, Weather & SportsPima County Health Department Issues Measles Advisory

Pima County Health Department Issues Measles Advisory

Written by: Brian Pryor

PIMA COUNTY, AZ (KGUN9-TV) - The Pima County Health Department has issued an advisory to the public concerning measles.

Health department officials issued the advisory after they investigated a suspected case of measles in a young child. The staff at the department are monitoring for other possible exposures.

Pima County's Chief Medical Officer for the department said in the statement "We would like the community to be alert to generalized body rashes associated with fever and the symptoms described. If there is any question that the symptoms being experienced may be measles, please call your doctor or the Health Department."

Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus transmitted through the air. Early symptoms of the virus include red eyes, fever, runny nose and a cough, a few days later a rash will begin on the face and spread down the body.

The public is encouraged if they have symptoms to contact their doctor before going into the office so they can take measures to ensure others may not be exposed.  Measles is diagnosed through a combination of the symptoms and the laboratory results.

Tucsonan's may remember the most recent outbreak of measles in February of 2008.