Arizona measles outbreak infects 2 more at Eloy Detention Center
Health officials said that because the new cases involve detainees, there are no more additional places of public exposure where infected individuals may have exposed the virus to others.
Public-health officials reported that two more detainees at an Eloy immigration-detention center have confirmed cases of measles, bringing the total to 13 cases tied to the facility in Pinal County.
The Arizona Department of Health Services and Pinal County Public Health Services District said that because the new cases involve detainees, there are no more additional public places where infected individuals may have exposed the virus to others.
Public-health officials previously identified more than a dozen public locations where infected individuals may have passed the virus to others since May 16. Locations included stores, restaurants, a casino, a church and a high-school graduation.
Of the 13 cases confirmed since the outbreak was announced last week, nine have been detainees and four have been employees of the detention center.
Detention-center employees with confirmed measles were asked to stay in their homes until they no longer are a threat to pass along the virus to others.
Federal officials have suspended movements to and from Eloy Detention Center. The facility houses immigrants awaiting the outcome of deportation cases, asylum seekers, and legal immigrants convicted of crimes that make them eligible for removal from the U.S.
The infected detainees will be quarantined in their cells for 21 days or until they show no signs of the virus, said Joe Pyritz, Pinal County spokesman.
All detainees at the mostly full 1,550-bed facility have been given the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in an effort to halt the spread of measles within the facility, officials said.
Public-health officials say the key to halting the spread of the outbreak is to quickly identify secondary exposures and prevent those people from spreading the virus to others, particularly young children and those unable to be immunized due to existing medical conditions.
Public-health officials said individuals who suspect they may have the measles are encouraged to call their doctors or health-care providers rather than going in person, preventing exposure to others in an office or hospital waiting area. Symptoms include fever above 101 degrees, with red, watery eyes, coughing and a runny nose before a red, blotchy rash develops.
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