Officials: Up to 1K possibly exposed to measles in Ariz.

Connie Cone Sexton | The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX — With as many as 1,000 people across three Arizona counties potentially exposed to the measles, state public-health officials are asking people who think they may have come in contact with the virus to isolate themselves.

In addition, they are asking those who may have been exposed not to show up at doctors' offices, emergency rooms or urgent-care centers, where others could be exposed to the highly contagious virus, which can linger in the air for two hours.

Maricopa County Public Health Director Bob England said parents who are concerned about sending their children to school or day care should start asking direct questions.

"It is perfectly reasonable to ask their child-care provider or school how many kids in that school are not vaccinated because parents chose not to," he said.

To date, officials have confirmed seven cases of measles: five in Pinal County, two in Maricopa County. In addition, health officials in Gila County are working to identify anyone who might have come in contact with one of the Pinal County patients, who visited a hospital there in mid-January.

The possible exposure rate of 1,000 people is tied in large part to those who may have come in contact with 195 children who Maricopa County health officials say were exposed to measles between Jan. 20 and 21 at the Phoenix Children's East Valley Center in Mesa.

Public-health officials believe the cases of measles will probably grow, but they do not want to instill panic.

The general public is not advised to wear masks or avoid public transportation, England said.

"I don't want people to change their lives," he said. "If you go out in public, you are way more likely to get the flu. What we're trying to do is nip this in the bud, track people who've been exposed, keep them out of child care and work, so it doesn't become widespread."

Mesa resident Shana Bereche, 30, is one of the people potentially exposed and is waiting to see if her 4-month-old daughter, Leighton, shows any symptoms.

Bereche said she had taken Leighton to the Phoenix Children's East Valley Center Jan. 21 for a doctor's appointment.

She said the county told her they were at the clinic 30 minutes before and two hours after the person with measles had been there. "So, I don't know if we shared a room, passed in the hall," she said.

Wednesday was the first possible day Leighton was considered contagious, said Bereche, who is keeping her daughter quarantined at home. "But it could take up to Feb. 10 to show signs or symptoms," she said. "If she wakes up on Feb. 11 with no rash, we're in the clear."

The difficult part, Bereche said, is that Leighton has excessive drooling and coughs, some of the symptoms of having measles. "But that's common for a baby," she said.

On Monday, Leighton received a shot of immunoglobulin, to help build her immune system.

Those who have been notified they were exposed or believe they have come in contact with someone carrying the measles virus are urged to go into self-quarantine.

"Anybody who is unvaccinated or undervaccinated (received only the first of two recommended doses) who has been exposed to measles patients, needs to be in isolation for 21 days," said Will Humble, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Local pharmacies can give the measles shot, but those interested are advised to call ahead to make sure your local drugstore has the vaccine in stock. The co-pay will vary depending on a person's health plan. If you are not insured, expect to pay about $100 per shot.

Vaccination rates for measles, mumps and rubella in Maricopa and Pinal vary greatly among county kindergartens for the 2013-14 school year, according to Arizona Department of Health Services records. Rates range from 100% to as low as 38%.

The statistics are for kindergartens with more than 20 students enrolled. The state would not release information regarding those smaller schools, citing concerns over privacy.

All three state universities — Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University — require students to provide verification they've had two measles vaccinations before they can register for classes.

The most proactive approach against the disease is to ensure that someone has been vaccinated or check to see if they have had the measles, England and Humble stress.

It's a matter of taking the personal responsibility to guard against the spread of the disease, Humble added. "Everybody needs to tell the truth" about whether they've had the measles or have been vaccinated, Humble said. And those who know they have not gotten the vaccine should comply for the good of the community, he said, adding: "We all have to do this together. It's the golden rule. It's not complicated."

He noted that the measles can cause blindness, deafness and even death — especially in young children.

Health officials say measles begins with a fever, red and watery eyes, a cough and a runny nose, followed by a red, raised and blotchy rash that begins on the head at the hairline and moves to the lower extremities. Symptoms typically appear seven to 12 days after exposure to measles but it may take up to 21 days.

Dr. Amy Shoptaugh, a pediatrician at All About Kids Pediatrics in Tempe, said her office has had an increase in calls from parents whose children have not been vaccinated.

Shoptaugh said she last saw a case of measles 20 years ago, when she was working in Nepal.

"If you get the measles, you can get very sick," she said. "There can be a fever of 104 or 105 with a rash that is pretty significant."

The only real treatment is taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

The recent outbreak likely originated at Disneyland before Christmas. The California Department of Public Health reported last week that the state has 59 confirmed cases, with 42 linked to Disneyland or California Adventure in Anaheim. The outbreak has spread to Washington, Utah, Colorado, Oregon and Arizona.

The two Arizona cases confirmed Tuesday involve a man in Pinal County and a woman in Phoenix and were tied to a Kearny-area family of four whose measles cases were confirmed last week following travel to Disneyland.

Gila County health officials said the patient in question visited the Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center at 1:47 a.m. on Jan. 14. Anyone who was working at the hospital or visited between 1:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 14 was potentially exposed, and health officials have identified nine staff members and eight non-staff members whom they are tracking.

Last week, Maricopa County officials reported that a woman in her 50s tested positive for measles, which they believe she contracted at Disneyland.

Republic reporters Anne Ryman, Caitlin McGlade and Sarah Jarvis contributed to this article.

Measles symptoms

Typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure to measles.

Begin with fever (101 F or higher), red and watery eyes, cough and runny nose.

Are followed by a rash that is red, raised and blotchy. The rash begins on the face at the hairline and moves down the body. The rash may last for five to six days and may turn brownish.

If you think you have measles

Contact your health-care provider, emergency room or urgent-care center by phone. They will direct you when to visit so as not to expose others in the waiting area.