Highlights
- Maricopa County's 2026 measles total reached 15 cases Wednesday, with the newest linked to a prior local infection and no outside travel.
- Three new public exposure sites were identified: Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa and two Queen Creek locations on May 5-8.
- Anyone at the listed sites during exposure windows should monitor for symptoms through late May and confirm vaccination status.
- The outbreak has been concentrated in the East Valley, with most sites in Mesa, Queen Creek, and Gilbert.
Maricopa County's measles outbreak climbed to 15 confirmed cases Wednesday after health officials tied the newest infection to a prior local case with no known travel history or outside exposure source, a pattern consistent with sustained community transmission.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health identified three new public sites where exposure may have occurred. Arizona Athletic Grounds (Building A) at 6321 S. Ellsworth Road in Mesa was flagged for three consecutive days: May 5 from 3 to 9 p.m., May 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and May 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pecan Lake Entertainment at 25004 S. 206th Street in Queen Creek was listed for May 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. A Club Dance Recital at Queen Creek High School, 22149 Ocotillo Road, was flagged for May 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
The outbreak has been concentrated in the East Valley, with the majority of exposure sites identified in Mesa, Queen Creek, and Gilbert. The Maricopa County government's public alert page previously confirmed three cases on May 6 that were also connected with no travel or known source of exposure, bringing that earlier total to 13 before Wednesday's addition.
What symptoms should you watch for with measles?
The measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a space. Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash. Anyone who visited the listed locations during the flagged windows should monitor for symptoms through late May. Health officials ask that anyone experiencing symptoms stay home and call a healthcare provider before seeking in-person treatment to avoid further spread.
Anyone uncertain about their vaccination status should confirm they are current on measles immunization. The county's next exposure-site update is expected as case investigations continue.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- ktar.com retrieved 14/05/2026 00:58
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 14/05/2026 00:58. Every claim traces to a source.
