Four measles cases now reported in Arizona, first of this year

NAVAJO COUNTY, Arizona (ABC4) — The Navajo County Public Health Services District (NCPHSD) and the Arizona Department of Health confirmed four cases of measles in Navajo County, the first reported cases in Arizona of 2025.

Navajo County borders Utah. Arizona is now one of three neighboring states with reported cases, the others being Colorado and New Mexico.

NCPHSD said in a press release shared to social media that the infected individuals were not vaccinated against measles, and they had a recent history of international travel. They also confirmed that the individuals were exposed to measles through a single source.

Public health officials are currently determining locations where other people could have been exposed and are working to contact anyone who may have been exposed to measles.

Officials said that anyone who may have been exposed will be asked to monitor their symptoms for 21 days following their exposure period, which reportedly was May 17-28. They’re also asking those individuals to consider avoiding public spaces or other high-risk environments during that time.

The people who are most at risk are those who have not been vaccinated against measles, officials said, and therefore they are requesting those who are unvaccinated to be particularly vigilant in monitoring for early symptoms of measles.

According to NCPHSD, symptoms usually appear a week to two weeks after exposure, and those symptoms include: high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and rash beginning at the head and spreading downward.

Janelle Lynn, director of NCPHSD, urged anyone who believes they may have been exposed or is experiencing symptoms to contact their healthcare provider immediately.

NCPHSD reminded that measles is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease, and that the most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get immunized.

Utah health officials also recently spoke to ABC4.com and shared the same message: the MMR vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself, and it is completely safe.