Laura Gómez

The Republic | azcentral.com

Areas of exposure include several places in Maricopa and Pinal counties

Measles is spread through the air via coughing or sneezing, as well as by contact with mucus or saliva of an infected person

Arizona health officials Monday announced another case of measles — bringing the total to 11 cases — and warned of more than one dozen places in Pinal and Maricopa counties where the public may have been exposed to the disease.

The outbreak started at an immigration detention center in Eloy with two confirmed cases last week, and the Arizona Department of Health Services and Pinal County Public Health Services District identified eight additional cases of measles Saturday night.

"This is an evolving situation, and given how contagious measles can be, Public Health will continue to update our communities on places of potential exposure," Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said in a statement.

State health officials on Monday updated the list of places, dates and times where people in Maricopa and Pinal counties may have been exposed to measles:

2-5:30 p.m. May 18 at Denny's, 1851 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande.

3-6:30 p.m. May 18 and 5-8 p.m. May 19 at the Walmart Pharmacy, 1741 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande.

May 20 to May 29 at Circle K, 2382 N. Pinal Ave., Casa Grande.

4-7 p.m. May 20 at Safeway, 1449 N. Arizona Blvd., Coolidge.

8 -11 p.m. May 20 at Golden Corral, 2064 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande.

9 a.m.-noon May 20 at Ross, 1004 N. Promenade Parkway, Casa Grande.

10 p.m.-1 a.m. May 20 at Walmart, 1741 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande.

10 p.m.–1 a.m. May 20 at Corner Store, 2182 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande.

5-9 p.m. May 27 at Cheddar's, 2530 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler.

Previously reported places of exposure are:

1-5 p.m. May 15; 6-10 p.m. May 16; 7-10:30 p.m. May 18 at the Apostolic Assembly — the Faith, 424 E. Frontier St., Eloy.

6-9 p.m. May 17 at Villa Oasis High School graduation, 3740 N. Toltec Road, Toltec.

1-5:30 p.m. May 18 at Cottonwood Medical Center, 560 N. Camino Mercado, Unit 7, Casa Grande.

6 p.m.-2 a.m. May 21 at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, 15406 N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa.

8:30-11 a.m. May 22 at Arco AM/PM Store, 2245 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande.

How contagious is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be prevented by vaccination.

It is spread through the air via coughing or sneezing, as well as by contact with mucus or saliva of an infected person. A person with measles is considered contagious from the date of initial symptoms until four days after the rash appears.

State and county health officials urge anyone who has a rash and a fever to contact their health provider by phone to arrange a checkup at a time when others will not be exposed.

In 2015, seven cases of measles were reported in Arizona; three cases were registered in 2014.

What are the symptoms?

Initial symptoms include fever above 101 degrees, with red, watery eyes, coughing and a runny nose. Later, a red, blotchy rash develops, typically beginning on the head at the hairline and moving down the body, and lasts five to six days.

Symptoms typically appear seven to 12 days after exposure, but can take up to 21 days.

What should I do if I think I have measles?

Call your health-care provider before showing up at the waiting area of a medical office or clinic. If you do not have a doctor, call a hospital emergency room or urgent-care center instead of arriving and potentially exposing others.

Am I immune?

Individuals are immune if they have received two measles, mumps and rubella vaccines or were born before 1957 and received one vaccine.

Additional information may be found at StoptheSpreadAZ.com, or by calling 602-839-2275.