A person infectious with measles traveled through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Terminal 4 on June 10, 2025, officials said. The Maricopa County Department of Public Health confirmed the individual was contagious during the 5 p.m. to midnight exposure window, potentially exposing travelers in Concourses C and D.
The individual was infectious during a five-hour exposure window from 5 p.m. to midnight, officials said, with possible virus presence lingering for an additional two hours in Concourses C and D beyond security checkpoints. MCDPH described the event as a formal measles exposure, prompting a coordinated response with airport and government partners to notify potentially affected travelers.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) confirmed the measles case involved a traveler who was contagious while passing through Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on June 10, 2025.
Health authorities emphasized that the infected person was capable of transmitting measles before showing symptoms, a characteristic that increases the risk of spread in crowded settings such as airport terminals. Measles virus can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area, officials said, which justified the extended exposure timeframe. The department urged anyone present in the specified areas during the exposure period to monitor for symptoms and consult a healthcare provider if illness develops.
Public health officials noted that measles spreads through direct contact or airborne transmission when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The greatest risk of contracting measles is among unvaccinated or non-immune individuals, according to MCDPH. Travelers with documented measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination generally have strong protection against infection. The department advised that people unsure of their vaccination status or those who have never had measles should seek medical advice regarding vaccination or post-exposure measures.
Typical measles symptoms include a high fever exceeding 101 degrees Fahrenheit, red and watery eyes, cough, runny nose, followed by a red, raised, blotchy rash that usually begins on the face near the hairline and spreads downward. Symptoms typically appear seven to 12 days after exposure but can take up to 21 days to manifest, which defines the recommended period for symptom monitoring. MCDPH officials instructed anyone developing symptoms to self-isolate at home and contact a healthcare provider before seeking in-person care to prevent further spread. Medical staff should be informed in advance of possible exposure to ensure proper infection control.
The department also provided contact information for the MCDPH CARES Team at (602) 506-6767, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for travelers with questions about exposure and next steps. Individuals without a regular healthcare provider may need evaluation at hospital emergency rooms or urgent care centers if symptoms develop.
This exposure event follows reports of four measles cases in Navajo County the week before June 10, 2025, marking the first confirmed measles cases in Arizona for that year. At the time of the Sky Harbor exposure announcement, Maricopa County had no confirmed measles cases, indicating the infectious traveler likely originated outside the county or represented an early case. Public health records show that the June 10, 2025, incident was not isolated; a subsequent exposure event occurred at the same airport’s Terminal 4 on January 29, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., underscoring ongoing concerns about measles transmission in the region.
MCDPH continues to work closely with federal, state, and airport officials to monitor and respond to measles activity in Arizona. Officials have issued health alerts and maintain a cumulative list of public exposure sites, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, to assist residents and travelers in identifying potential exposure locations and timeframes. These measures aim to address vaccination coverage gaps and reinforce the importance of maintaining high MMR immunization rates to prevent further spread of measles among Arizona communities and travelers passing through the state’s busiest airport.
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