According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019 has seen the largest measles outbreak in the United States since the Center announced back in 2000 that the disease had been exterminated from the country.

As of April 26, the CDC reports there have been 704 confirmed measles cases across 22 states, including Arizona.

However, Arizona only had one of the 704 confirmed measles cases. A one-year-old infant in Pima County was diagnosed with the disease on March 8.

State and Pima County Health officials said in a joint statement that the infant had Asia-related travels, a region of the world where measles is more rampant.

Pima County is over two hours away from Fountain Hills, but with the contagious nature of measles it is important to make sure that you are taking the proper steps to avoid the spread of germs, according to the statement.

“The best practice to stop the spread of anything is constantly washing your hands and covering your mouth with your elbow when you cough,” district nurse, Lisa Schreiner said. “If your child has a fever we advise parents to keep them home and at the elementary school age it is easier to spot those signs.”

The measles can be particularly harmful when they are contracted by younger children.

Arizona law currently says that children who attend public school must have certain vaccines unless they have a medical or personal exemption.

Arizona Department of Health records show that the current McDowell Mountain Elementary School Kindergarten class is in 100 percent compliance with State law but that only 94 percent of the class has the MMR vaccine, which is 1 percent below the community immunity level experts say is needed to protect vulnerable students.

While there are no cases of the measles here in Fountain Hills, District policy would be to alert the parents of unvaccinated students if there were.