Measles (CDC)
GILBERT, Ariz. - Officials with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health say they have confirmed a measles exposure incident in the East Valley.
What we know:
According to a statement, the exposure involved a person who does not live in Maricopa County. It happened at Hale Theatre on the following dates:
- Jan. 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Jan. 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Jan. 7, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Jan. 8, from 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Jan. 9, from 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
"People should watch for symptoms through January 30, 2026," read a portion of MCDPH's statement.
The announcement came just one day after MCDPH announced the first measles case in the county for 2026.
Why you should care:
Health officials say measles "spreads through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes."
What To Look Out For:
Experts say measles symptoms typically appear about seven to 14 days after exposure, and can include a high fever as high as 105.8°F, along with cough, runny nose, diarrhea, red, watery eyes, and a full-body rash that normally starts a few days after the fever.
"Measles can cause serious illness and death, especially in young children, pregnant women, and people with depressed immune systems," read a portion of the statement.
Area where the exposure took place
The Source: Information for this article was gathered from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.