Maricopa County Measles Cases Climb to 21 as Health Officials Identify New Exposure Sites
Maricopa County has confirmed seven new measles cases, pushing this year’s total to 21 and marking one of the county’s most significant outbreaks in decades. The Maricopa County Department of Public…
Seven additional infections were confirmed Friday, with possible public exposures reported in Tempe and Surprise. Maricopa County has confirmed seven new measles cases, pushing this year’s total to 21 and marking one of the county’s most significant outbreaks in decades. The Maricopa County Department of Public Health said the latest cases are well above the county’s historical average of about one case per year over the past 30 years. As part of its investigation, the department identified two new locations where members of the public may have been exposed to the virus. The potential exposure sites include Tempe Marketplace on July 6 between 5 p. m. and 8:30 p. m. and the Walmart at 13770 W. Bell Road in Surprise on July 12 from 2 p. m. to 5 p. m. Because measles can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves, health officials are advising anyone who was at those locations during the specified times to monitor for symptoms through the recommended observation periods. Symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash that typically begins on the face before spreading across the body. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed is encouraged to contact a healthcare provider before visiting a medical facility to help prevent further transmission. The increase follows a sharp rise in measles activity across Arizona, which reported 220 confirmed cases statewide in 2025, underscoring ongoing public health concerns about the highly contagious virus.