TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Pima County health officials have confirmed a third measles case involving a Tucson resident and are now classifying the situation as an outbreak. Officials say the risk to the broader community remains low, but they are urging residents to stay alert and take precautions if they may have been exposed.
According to the Pima County Health Department, the individual was not fully vaccinated and developed symptoms after direct contact with a previously confirmed measles case. The person is not hospitalized and is recovering while isolating at home. Because the cases are linked, health officials say there is no indication of widespread community transmission at this time.
Health officials say measles is considered an outbreak even with a single case due to how easily the virus spreads. Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, with a basic reproduction number, or R-zero, of about 15. That means one infected person can spread the virus to as many as 15 unvaccinated people…