Pinal County health officials today confirmed the county’s first community measles case of 2026 in an unvaccinated adult who was exposed outside the county but later visited an emergency healthcare facility in Pinal County while potentially infectious. Officials said people who may have been exposed are being contacted directly.

The case appears to be separate from an earlier 2026 measles case in Pinal County tied to a person in federal custody. In that January case, county officials said the broader community risk remained low.

According to Pinal County Public Health Services District, symptoms usually appear seven to 12 days after exposure, though they can take up to 21 days. Symptoms include high fever above 101 degrees, red watery eyes, cough, runny nose and a red, raised, blotchy rash that typically starts at the hairline before moving down the body.

Health officials urged residents to check their immunization records and talk with a healthcare provider if they are unsure whether they are protected. The county said measles is preventable with the MMR vaccine, and that people born before 1957 or who previously had measles are generally considered immune.

Officials also said some exposed people may qualify for post-exposure prophylaxis, including certain children ages 6 to 12 months, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Anyone who develops symptoms should stay home and call ahead before seeking care so they do not expose others.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses. The county said it can linger in the air for up to two hours, and about 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to it will become infected. There is no treatment for measles, officials said, though supportive care may be given. Serious complications can include death and, in rare cases, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a brain disease that can appear years after infection.

Pinal County is also warning healthcare providers to watch for patients with fever and rash, especially if they are unvaccinated or report known exposure. Officials said suspected cases must be reported to the local health department and that measles diagnoses must be confirmed through state laboratory testing.

For more information on measles, click here.

For more information on PCPHSD and how to find an MMR vaccine near you, click here.