There are 11 confirmed cases of the measles in Arizona, according to state health officials. The outbreak stems from the Eloy Detention Center, a federal detention center for immigrants.
Seven detainees and four staff members have the virus, says Joe Pyritz, a spokesperson for Pinal County. There are 1,500 detainees at the jail and 500 staff members, Pyritz says, and all of them are being vaccinated.
While it's unclear who brought the virus, Pyritz said the jail is in a state of lockdown and detainees are not being released or brought in. The affected staff members and are self-quarantined at home and the detainees are quarantined as well.
The Arizona Department of Health Services says there are 14 locations in Pinal and Maricopa counties where people may have been exposed. Those locations and dates include:
- Sunday, May 15: The Faith at 424 E. Frontier Street in Eloy from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Monday, May 16: The Faith at 424 E. Frontier Street in Eloy from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 17: Villa Oasis High School graduation at 3740 N. Toltec Road in Toltec from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 18: Denny's at 1851 E. Florence Blvd in Casa Grande from 2 to 5:30 p.m., the Wal-Mart Pharmacy at 1741 E Florence Blvd in Casa Grande from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 19: Wal-Mart Pharmacy at 1741 E. Florence Blvd in Casa Grande from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday, May 20: Safeway at 1449 N. Arizona Blvd. in Coolidge from 4 to 7 p.m., Golden Corral at 2064 E. Florence Blvd in Casa Grande from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Ross at 1004 N. Promenade Pkwy in Casa Grande from 9 p.m. to midnight, Walmart at 1741 E. Florence Blvd in Casa Grande from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., Corner Store at 2182 E. Florence Blvd in Casa Grande from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., any time during the day at Circle K on 2382
N. Pinal Ave in Casa Grande.
- Saturday, May 21: Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino at 15406 North Maricopa Road in Maricopa from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Sunday, May 22: Arco AM/PM Store at 2245 E. Florence Blvd. in Casa Grande from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Friday, May 27, 2016: Cheddars at 2530 W. Chandler Blvd in Chandler from 5 p.m. to to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, May 29: Circle K at 2382 N. Pinal Ave in Casa Grande.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection the measles starts with a runny nose, fever, cough, red eyes and sore throat and is followed by a rash. The rash starts at the hairline and moves around the body. The measles can spread through coughing and sneezing and the virus can live up to two hours after the infected person has left the area.
Michael Acoba, the epidemiology program manager for the Pima County Health Department, says they have been in contact with Pinal and Maricopa counties. Acoba says the measles is something everyone, especially parents, should take seriously.
"It's out there, it's not gone from the world," Acoba said. "Last year's Disneyland outbreak shows that people out of the country can bring it in to the United States and expose people."
Acoba says more serious symptoms include brain inflammation, pneumonia, seizures and death.
The CDC reports the measles was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. Outbreaks can occur in the U.S. when it is brought in to the country by unvaccinated travelers from other countries who can spread the virus to others who aren't protected.
There have not been any confirmed cases of the measles in Pima County since 2008.
If you think you may have been exposed to the measles or you have symptoms, contact your doctor and check immunization records. If you need to go to the emergency room call ahead of time and let them know you're coming so you don't spread the measles to others in the waiting room.
