Third Measles Case Reported in Pima County

Health officials investigating exposure locations and conducting contact tracing

Jan. 28, 2026 at 3:23pm

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The Pima County Health Department, in coordination with state and local healthcare partners, is investigating a third confirmed case of measles in Pima County involving a Tucson resident. The individual was not fully vaccinated and developed symptoms following direct exposure to a previously reported measles case. The Health Department has identified several public exposure locations and is conducting contact tracing efforts to notify individuals who may have been exposed.

Why it matters

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious complications, especially in unvaccinated individuals. This third case in Pima County raises concerns about the potential for a larger outbreak, highlighting the importance of vaccination and prompt public health response to contain the spread of the disease.

The details

The individual with the third confirmed measles case is isolating and recovering at home. PCHD has identified several public exposure locations, including a grocery store, a restaurant, and a healthcare facility, where potential exposures may have occurred. The Health Department is working with other jurisdictions where additional exposures may have taken place and is contacting individuals who may have been exposed to provide guidance on symptom monitoring and next steps.

  • The third confirmed measles case was reported on January 28, 2026.
  • Potential exposure locations were identified for dates between January 20-25, 2026.

The players

Pima County Health Department (PCHD)

The local public health agency responsible for investigating the measles cases and coordinating the response with state and healthcare partners.

Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS)

The state public health agency working with PCHD on the measles investigation and response.

Tucson resident

The individual with the third confirmed measles case, who was not fully vaccinated and developed symptoms after exposure to a previous case.

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What they’re saying

“We are working closely with our state and local partners to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to this latest measles case. Vaccination is the best protection against this highly contagious disease.”

— Dr. Theresa Cullen, Pima County Health Department Director (azbilingual.com)

What’s next

PCHD will continue to monitor the situation, conduct contact tracing, and provide updates to the public as the investigation progresses.

The takeaway

This third measles case in Pima County underscores the importance of vaccination and the need for a swift public health response to contain the spread of this highly contagious disease. Residents are encouraged to monitor for symptoms and cooperate with health officials to support the containment efforts.