PHOENIX — A traveler infected with measles may have exposed the public to the highly contagious virus while passing through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport last week, officials confirmed Monday.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) said the potential exposure happened June 10 between 5 p.m. and midnight in Terminal 4’s Concourses C and D, past the security checkpoint.
Health officials are now contacting individuals who may have been exposed to help them monitor symptoms and seek treatment if needed.
“Measles is both highly contagious and preventable,” said Dr. Nick Staab, MCDPH’s chief medical officer. “We urge anyone who hasn’t received the MMR vaccine to get vaccinated.”
As of June 9, Arizona had four confirmed measles cases in 2025, all unvaccinated individuals with recent international travel. Nationally, the CDC has reported 1,197 confirmed cases this year.
Measles symptoms typically start with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a rash that spreads from the face downward. Complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis.
Arizona’s MMR vaccination rate for kindergartners was just over 88% for the 2023–24 school year, below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
