Confirmed measles case in Page prompts school restrictions, exposure warnings

PAGE, Ariz. — A con­firmed measles case in Page has prompted exposure warnings at multiple loca­tions and new vaccination requirements for students and staff at Page High School.

While no cases have been confirmed in Kane County, the Page exposure highlights the close ties between communities in Page, Kanab and Fredonia.

Coconino County Health and Human Services con­firmed March 20 that a county resident tested posi­tive for measles, marking the first reported case in the county in 2026.

Health officials identified potential exposure sites in Page, including Page High School and the Safeway store on March 12, as well as Banner Page Hospital on March 16. Individuals who were at those loca­tions during specified times were advised to monitor for symptoms through early April, with that window now nearing its end.

As of late March, no addi­tional cases have been pub­licly reported in Coconino County, and no cases have been confirmed in Kane County.

According to reporting by the Navajo Times, Page Unified School District is now requiring proof of measles, mumps and ru­bella (MMR) vaccination for students and staff, a step aimed at limiting further spread within the school setting.

Symptoms of measles typically appear seven to 12 days after exposure but can take up to 21 days and include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a blotchy rash that usually begins on the face before spreading.

The case represents a shift in the ongoing regional outbreak, which has been concentrated along the Utah–Arizona border in Mohave County but is now appearing farther east in Coconino County. State­wide, Arizona cases have slowed in recent weeks, with no new cases reported in the latest updates.

Measles is highly conta­gious and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Health officials say vaccination remains the most effective protection, with two doses of the MMR vaccine providing strong immunity.

While no cases have been confirmed in Kane County, the Page exposure high­lights the close ties between communities in the region, where residents frequent­ly travel between Page, Kanab and Fredonia for school, work and services.

Officials are continuing to monitor the situation and urge anyone experiencing symptoms following a po­tential exposure to contact a healthcare provider before seeking in-person care.