Measles outbreak confirmed at Arizona detention facility
The US Department of Homeland Security has confirmed a measles case involving a detainee at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Arizona, raising concerns over the spread of the highly contagious virus, reports BritPanorama.
This month, the Arizona Public Health Department identified the infected individual as a Mexican national held at the Florence Detention Center. A DHS spokesperson indicated that the detainee’s infection was confirmed in an email on Wednesday.
In response to the outbreak, “ICE Health Services Corp immediately took steps to quarantine and control further spread and infection, ceasing all movement within the facility and quarantining all individuals suspected of making contact with the infected,” the spokesperson stated.
Located in Pinal County, the Florence Detention Center has reported at least two additional measles cases in the area since the initial diagnosis. Pinal County Public Health Services District confirmed three active cases in total as of Wednesday, with a spokesperson stating, “the overall risk to the general community remains low.”
CoreCivic operates the detention center, providing medical care, including vaccination, to detainees. Brian Todd, a spokesperson for the company, emphasized that “the health and safety of those entrusted to our care is the top priority for CoreCivic,” noting the facility collaborates with local health authorities.
According to Todd, “All detainees have daily access to sign up for medical care and mental health services. For those medical needs requiring specialized care, the facility works closely with local hospitals and providers to meet those needs.” Emergency care is provided around the clock.
In a 2016 outbreak at the same detention center, more than 30 detainees and nine staff members were reported as infected, indicating potential vulnerabilities in such facilities. Since the beginning of 2025, Arizona has recorded 25 measles cases, a significant rise compared to previous years.
Nationwide, the United States saw 2,242 measles infections last year, the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. Arizona’s average prior to 2025 hovered around 180 cases annually; however, this year has already exceeded that figure with over 416 confirmed cases.
This situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced in managing infectious diseases within detention facilities and calls attention to the need for robust health monitoring and preventive measures in similar environments.
