by Phoenix, AZ – Arizona continues to grapple with a measles outbreak, with the majority of cases concentrated along the Utah border, particularly in Mohave County. The state has reported a total of 176 cases in 2025, with 172 linked to the Mohave County outbreak. Health officials are urging residents to ensure they are fully vaccinated to help contain the virus.
Rising Cases and Hospitalizations
Deputy State Epidemiologist Shane Brady of the Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed a recent spike of 22 new cases over the last two weeks, with six hospitalizations recorded so far.
“The best protection against measles is vaccination,” Brady emphasized. “One dose is about 93% effective, while two doses provide 97% protection. Staying up to date with vaccines is the most reliable way to protect yourself and your family.”
Children Most Affected
Health data shows that 66% of measles cases involve individuals under the age of 18, and of those, 97% were unvaccinated. This highlights the vulnerability of children to the highly contagious virus, particularly in areas with lower vaccination coverage.
Measles is known to be highly contagious, capable of remaining airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and rash.
Geographic Spread of the Outbreak
Outside of Mohave County, only Navajo County has reported measles cases in Arizona this year. Counties such as Coconino and Apache, also along the Utah border, have not recorded any cases. According to Brady, this may be influenced by higher vaccination rates and other public health measures in those areas.
For the 2024–2025 school year, statewide data shows 88.7% of kindergarteners were fully vaccinated for measles. In contrast, Mohave County reported a lower rate of 78.4%, leaving the region more susceptible to outbreaks. Health officials note that 95% coverage is generally required to prevent large-scale transmission.
State Officials Stress Importance of Vaccination
Brady stressed that while breakthrough infections can occur in vaccinated individuals, they are usually less severe. “Vaccines remain the most effective defense against measles, preventing illness in the first place and minimizing spread in the community,” he said.
Arizona’s Assistant Director for Public Health Preparedness, Nicole Witt, described the outbreak as the largest the state has seen since the 1990s, signaling a renewed focus on public vaccination campaigns to curb further transmission.
Preventing Further Spread
Health officials continue to encourage residents, especially those in border counties, to confirm that all family members are vaccinated. Public health messaging emphasizes the importance of timely immunization, particularly in communities where vaccination coverage is below the herd immunity threshold of 95%.
Efforts to contain the outbreak focus on monitoring new cases, promoting vaccination, and educating the public about measles’ highly contagious nature.
Are You Fully Vaccinated, Arizona?
With measles cases rising, are you and your family up to date on all vaccinations? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions about measles prevention in the comments below.
