Maricopa County health officials are sounding the alarm after confirming that people who joined an Easter egg hunt in Queen Creek or shopped at two big-box stores earlier this month may have been exposed to measles. The county has identified Generation Church’s junior-high Sunday school and Easter egg hunt at Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary, along with visits to a Costco and a Walmart, as possible exposure sites. Health leaders are urging anyone who was at those locations to keep a close eye on symptoms and to call a healthcare provider before showing up in person.
Where exposures were reported
According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the public exposure windows include Costco on April 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Walmart on April 4 from 8:15 to 10:45 a.m., and Generation Church Queen Creek’s junior-high Sunday school and Easter egg hunt at Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary on April 5 from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The county notes that the time frames include a two-hour buffer because the measles virus can hang in the air after an infectious person leaves. Symptom-watch dates extend into the last week of April, and the county page lists the official dates, times and step-by-step guidance.
County officials' message
Dr. Maria Merrick, an assistant medical director with MCDPH, underscored how crucial vaccination is, saying, "Maricopa County has kept measles at bay for years by staying up to date on vaccines," as reported by KTAR News. County health staff are pressing parents and caregivers to pull those immunization records and confirm that children are up to date on the MMR series.
Statewide picture
The larger outbreak that began along the Arizona-Utah border in August 2025 has led to hundreds of cases across both states, with Mohave County carrying a sizable share of infections, according to reporting by KNAU. Public-health experts say pockets of low vaccination coverage in some communities leave those areas ripe for bigger clusters whenever measles is introduced.
Who should be concerned and what to do
Maricopa County lists five confirmed measles cases in 2026 as of April 9, and anyone who was at the listed locations during the posted windows is asked to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days after their last possible exposure. Measles symptoms can include high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a blotchy rash. In some situations, certain people exposed to measles may be eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), including some children under 12 months, pregnant people and individuals with compromised immune systems, according to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. Anyone who develops symptoms is urged to stay home and call their medical provider first so they can be evaluated without risking further spread.
Checking records and next steps
To confirm immunization status, Arizonans can use myIR through the Arizona Department of Health Services or contact their healthcare provider directly for records. For statewide guidance on measles, vaccine clinics and outbreak updates, visit the Arizona Department of Health Services. Local pharmacies and county clinics can provide MMR vaccine for eligible people, and those who are unsure about their vaccination history should talk with a clinician about whether an MMR dose is recommended.
