Mohave County epidemiologist reports rising measles cases and other surveillance updates
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Summary
Anna Scherzer reported a cumulative 2025 diseases summary showing a spike in measles (over 200 Arizona cases linked to the outbreak, ~97% unvaccinated) and higher‑than‑normal salmonellosis counts; the board asked about strain typing and TB surveillance.
The Mohave County Board of Health received a cumulative report on reportable diseases Jan. 26 that showed an increase in vaccine‑preventable illnesses, a salmonellosis uptick and routine respiratory virus activity.
Epidemiologist Anna Scherzer told the board that in 2025 measles and pertussis case counts “shot right up,” and she said the county’s data include more than 200 Arizona residents linked to a measles outbreak, with 11 hospitalizations at the time she compiled the report and about 97% of cases unvaccinated. “I do believe that they have identified some folks in other states that are linked to the outbreak,” Scherzer said of the outbreak and noted Utah had many cases.
Scherzer said influenza activity in the county was within expected seasonal patterns, though there was elevated influenza around the holidays. She also noted a higher-than-normal salmonellosis count with at least one outbreak contributing to the total. On TB, Scherzer explained that some report counts reflect investigations and follow-up and that there were no confirmed active TB cases after follow-up.
Board members asked whether the measles cases in the Arizona Strip/Colorado City area had been typed to determine strain or origin. Scherzer said there had not been consistent efforts to type every case down to clade level and that while the state laboratory can do additional typing (for example distinguishing H1N1 from H3N2 in influenza), she had not seen a systematic push to link all measles samples beyond local outbreak investigations.
Board members and local clinicians asked for more public education materials and clinician-facing talking points to reach vaccine-hesitant communities; a community clinician suggested leveraging the department’s trust in Colorado City and using telehealth for counseling. The board voted to accept the disease report.
What’s next: the department will continue surveillance and provide follow-up data; board members asked staff to explore targeted public‑education materials for communities affected by the measles outbreak.
