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As many as 500 people may have been exposed to measles in recent days by the newest case in the ongoing outbreak — a 2-year-old boy now hospitalized at University Medical Center.

This 10th case of measles since the local outbreak began in mid-February is the first with no link to the original victim, who exposed people at Northwest Medical Center.

"This means the measles virus is circulating in our community," said Dr. Michelle McDonald, chief medical officer for Pima County.

"Measles is the most contagious disease we know of, so it is very likely there are other people out there who have been infected."

At this point, health officials don't know how this child became infected. But they do know that none of the 10 victims — five adults and five children — was ever immunized against measles.

In an effort to control the further spread of the potentially dangerous disease, health officials are urging anyone who entered UMC's emergency room during a nine-hour period last week — from 7 p.m. on April 3 to 4 a.m. on April 4 — to contact the county Health Department starting at 8:30 a.m. today at 243-7808 to determine his or her risk for illness.

The infected boy arrived at UMC's ER that evening by ambulance, was quickly seen for treatment and was admitted to the hospital. However, the measles virus can linger in the air for several hours, extending the possible infectious period in that area.

Also at risk is anyone who visited UMC's pediatric ward on the third floor — 3 West — after the child was admitted there. That possible exposure period extends from last Friday through Tuesday of this week, when measles was confirmed and the boy was placed in isolation.

"We are asking these people to call us so we can figure out their immune status and guide them on what action, if any, should be taken," McDonald said. "And if you are developing symptoms, please call us immediately before you go out in public. Do not go to work or to school, and call ahead before going to the ER, urgent care or a doctor's office so they can get you in without exposing others."

Early measles symptoms can mimic a cold, the flu or allergies, with a cough, runny nose, red eyes and fever. The telltale rash appears several days later.

All exposed patients and staff members on UMC's pediatric ward have been given immunoglobulin therapy to stave off illness, said Dr. Sean Elliott, a UMC pediatrician who chairs the hospital's Infection Prevention Committee.

"They are now protected," he said.

Although the infected boy remains in treatment at UMC, he is expected to recover, Elliott said.

Among the other nine cases, five patients developed measles complications — three with pneumonia, one with an ear infection and one suffering seizures. All have recovered.

In the worst cases, measles can progress to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), pneumonia (affecting the lungs) or even hepatitis (attacking the liver), Elliott said. Most vulnerable to possibly fatal complications are infants younger than 1 year old.

The current Pima County outbreak started with a female tourist from Switzerland. She was confirmed as having the virus after she went for emergency care at Northwest Medical Center in mid-February. Exposure there infected the next eight victims. But the point of exposure for this 10th case remains unknown.

Significant measles outbreaks have been reported in Japan, Britain and elsewhere in Europe, as vaccination rates have dropped off sharply because of fears of autism linked to the MMR vaccine (for measles, mumps and rubella).

Vaccination rates remain fairly high in the United States, despite that controversy. The result has been near elimination of the disease here since 2000. The last confirmed Pima County case occurred in 1994, with the last outbreak in 1991.

"But with five of these current cases in adults, that suggests our vaccination rates are not perfect," McDonald said.

Anyone born before 1957 — when the vaccine was developed — likely had measles and has a lifelong immunity to it.