Sun, Jul 27, 2008

Tucson Region

Diagnosis of measles in infant sparks Pinal County advisory

arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.17.2008
An infant in Pinal County has been infected with the measles, and health officials believe the case is connected to the outbreak in Pima County.
Pinal County issued a public health advisory, according to a Friday news release, and urged anyone who has not previously had the measles or been vaccinated to get the vaccination.
The county became aware of the possibility of a measles case Wednesday, and officials are trying to find out who may have had contact with the child, said Heather Murphy, a Pinal County spokeswoman. The 9-month-old child is from the San Manuel area, which is economically tied to Tucson, she said.
"It's not unexpected that the mother and child encountered the virus in Pima County," Murphy said.
The number of confirmed cases of measles in Pima County rose to 21 on Friday, said Patti Woodcock, a spokeswoman for the Pima County Health Department. The latest confirmed case involves a woman, she said.
In response to the measles outbreak in Pima County, the Health Department here has held free clinics and vaccinated more than 3,000 people.
The free clinics will continue through the end of the month and are open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 600 S. Alvernon Way.
Measles is a highly contagious disease with symptoms that include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. The disease can be spread by air in droplets or through direct contact with an infected person.