Two cases of  measles have been reported in the Arizona state, the Arizona Department of Health Services, Pinal County Public Health Services District and Maricopa County Department of Public Health confirmed.

According to the  Arizona Department of Health Services officials, one patient works at the Eloy Detention Center as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee and another is and employee at the facility in Pinal County.

Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said that, "Measles is a highly contagious yet vaccine-preventable disease." "It is spread through the air and through coughing, sneezing, and contact with mucus or saliva from the nose, mouth, or throat of an infected person."

“It’s also important to point out that individuals should be up to date on their vaccinations,” Christ said. “Measles is a highly contagious disease and may be only a plane ride away.”

"Symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure," said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director and disease control administrator for Maricopa County Department of Public Health. "Based on what we know now for the above exposures, if you have not developed measles symptoms by June 13, 2016, you have not been infected. A person with measles is considered to be contagious as soon as symptoms start and can last four days after the rash appears."

The virus spreads by respiratory droplets expelled by sneezing or coughing in the air. The symptoms of Measles typically do not appear until 10 to 14 days after exposure. It  includes cough, inflamed eyes, runny nose, sore throat, fever, and a red, blotchy skin rash.

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Nandini