Pima County has confirmed three measles cases since January, the first local infections reported in more than five years, as health officials monitor potential exposure sites and warn of rising cases nationwide.

The first confirmed case since 2019 was reported to the Pima County Health Department at the beginning of January. In the months since, two additional cases have been confirmed.

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, though outbreaks can still occur when the virus is introduced from outside the country, particularly in areas with lower vaccination rates.

Pima County’s cases come as the Trump administration has announced plans to review federal vaccine guidance, including the childhood immunization schedule and recommendations for certain vaccines.

Potential exposure locations in Pima County include El Rio Health Northwest, the Fry’s grocery store on East Irvington Road and Carnicería el Herradero on West Valencia Road.

Common symptoms of measles include a red, brown or purple blotchy rash, fever, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a dry cough.

“PCHD investigates any suspected reported case by a healthcare provider, laboratory, congregate setting or school, we use syndromic surveillance as early monitoring and we are conducting active surveillance to anyone exposed to a confirmed case,” said a Pima County Health Department spokesperson.

The United States reported 2,281 confirmed measles cases in 2025, the highest number since 1991.

There have been 982 confirmed cases so far in 2026.

Children ages 5 through 19 account for 59% of cases, followed by children under 5, who make up 25%.

The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, the most common vaccine used to protect against measles, is typically given in two doses, with the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending the first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

“National data indicates 93% of cases were unvaccinated or had unknown immune status,” according to the health department spokesperson.

In Pima County, the health department reports that 93.5% of kindergarteners, 97% of sixth graders and 96.5% of those in child care facilities are vaccinated for measles.

But 2025 data from Johns Hopkins University shows a nationwide decrease in MMR vaccination rates among children since the COVID-19 pandemic, when the average vaccination rate per county decreased from 93.92% to 91.26% post-pandemic.

“We have observed increasing vaccine hesitancy in parts of our community. More families are expressing uncertainty about which vaccines to receive, and we're seeing a growing trend of parents requesting to space out their children's vaccinations rather than following the American Academy of Pediatricians recommended immunization schedule,” according to the health department spokesperson.

With three confirmed cases in Pima County and national numbers on the rise, the health department says it is collaborating with community health care partners to monitor the spread of the disease.

El Rio Health Center, one such partner, has activated its Incident Command Team.

“(We’re) working closely with the Pima County Health Department on the appropriate protocols to protect the safety of our patients, employees and community,” said El Rio spokesman Nathan Holaway.

Information for health care providers in Pima County about measles is available on the Pima County Health Department’s Health Hub page.

Zoey Oberstein is a University of Arizona student majoring in journalism and a Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at zoeyoberstein@arizona.edu.

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