(The Center Square) – Arizona and Utah continue to see an increase in measles cases.
Ten new cases were reported this week in Arizona, bringing this year’s total to 205.
Most of the new cases (nine) are in Mohave County, where the most cases (200) have been documented this year. The other new case is in Coconino County, which, prior to this week, had not reported any incidents.
Navajo County has seen four measles cases this year.
Nicole Witt, director of Public Health Preparedness for the Arizona Department of Health Services, said the state is recommending people get vaccinated for measles.
“The measles vaccination is the best protection against measles,” Witt told The Center Square. “The majority of our cases in Arizona as well as the majority of the cases nationally, are related to measles are related to unvaccinated individuals, so if folks are unsure of their vaccination status or have not yet received their measles vaccination, we strongly encourage the individuals get up to date as soon as possible.”
Measles is a contagious virus that usually begins with a high fever and symptoms such as a cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.
A document issued by ADHS says that a red, blotchy rash appears two to four days later, starting at the hairline and spreading to the face, trunk and limbs. The rash usually lasts five to six days.
“Measles spreads through the air when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes,” the ADHS document states. “The virus can live in the air or on surfaces for up to 2 hours. People with measles can spread it from 4 days before the rash appears until 4 days after.”
While only eight hospitalizations have been reported in Arizona, and no deaths have occurred, ADHS says “measles can become very serious” and may lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage or even death.
“We are in respiratory season, and it’s the holidays, people are traveling and moving about, so we recommend that everybody take care,” said Witt. “If you are sick or ill, make sure you stay home and follow up with your healthcare provider.”
It is a similar situation in Utah, where cases are up 14 from last week, a Utah Health & Human Services spokesperson told The Center Square.
That brings the total number of cases this year to 156.
Most cases are in Southwest Utah (114). The other cases have been found in Utah County (16), Wasatch County (9), Salt Lake County (5), Bear River (4), Central Utah (3), Southeast Utah (3), and Davis County (2).
Like Arizona, Utah is recommending people get vaccinated for measles.
“The best protection against measles is vaccination,” said Dr. Leisha Nolen, an epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health & Human Services. “We estimate over 90% of Utahans have been vaccinated to protect them from measles, so most Utahans are well protected. But we really encourage those people who have not been vaccinated, or their kids have not been vaccinated, to really talk to their health care provider and consider getting this protection for their family.”
Some Utahans who were recently vaccinated did so when cases began increasing.
“So we can see some people are taking action to protect their families, but we know there are still quite a few people that have not,” said Nolen.
Another recommendation is that people with measles symptoms limit their exposure when visiting a health care facility. That recommendation extends to those who believe they might have been exposed and are seeking medical attention.
“One thing that we’ve seen is quite a few people who are sick with measles go into clinics and expose many other people in those clinics,” said Nolen.
Patients at clinics could include babies not yet eligible for the measles vaccines, Nolen said, urging anyone with measles symptoms or likely exposure to measles to call ahead before entering a clinic. Staff could direct them to come through a different door and not sit in the waiting room.
