Arizona recommends measles vaccine during outbreak

By Chris Woodward
The Center Square

Arizona is recommending vaccinations to combat the state’s worst measles outbreak since the 1990s.

The latest update this week showed the state has 111 cases of measles during the outbreak, which is along the Utah border.

Four of those were reported as part of an earlier outbreak in Arizona.

Nicole Witt, Arizona’s assistant director for public health preparedness, said 107 of the 111 cases are associated with the current outbreak in Mohave County, which is connected to the Utah outbreak.

“All of our cases are associated with individuals, or almost all of the cases are associated with individuals who are unvaccinated,” Witt told The Center Square.

Physicians say the measles vaccine is the best way to protect oneself. The vaccination is available for infants and adults.

Pointing to data involving entry to kindergarten, Witt said Mohave County’s vaccination rate for measles is around 77%, which is lower than the overall state coverage of around 89%.

“We’d like to be about 95%,” said Witt.

Statewide, three people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Still, Witt said the vaccine is still recommended.

Measles is a contagious virus that officials say can remain airborne up to two hours after a person with measles has left a room. Symptoms are known to start seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash.

“It is very good news that we have not seen any deaths, but we can,” said Witt. “Certainly, there can be serious complications for measles, including pneumonia, encephalitis. And death is obviously the most severe outcome, so while thankfully, many people do recover from measles, there is that risk for more severe consequences.”

Witt added that it is also important for everyone to make sure that they are up to date on their vaccinations and they’re not spreading measles to somebody else who might be more vulnerable and might be more susceptible to a severe consequence or complication from measles.

“It is important that folks continue to be cautious, that people stay up to date, if they have questions about that vaccine, that they talk to their trusted health provider or their local health department to really get their questions answered,” said Witt. “It is an issue that should be important to everyone. We are seeing the largest outbreak we have seen since the ’90s. Certainly there are many other states that are seeing outbreaks. So it definitely is an issue and a concern for everyone.”

Arizona’s cases outnumber those reported in Utah. The Utah Department of Health & Human Services reported 67 cases as of this week. Fifty-one of those are in southwest Utah.