Arkansas – Health officials in Arkansas are now reporting six confirmed cases of measles, prompting concerns across the state as exposure sites continue to emerge in several counties. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) confirmed the fifth and sixth cases over the weekend, highlighting an ongoing public health situation that has now touched at least five counties.
The latest confirmed exposure occurred on May 5 at Central Arkansas Pediatrics in Conway, located in Faulkner County. The ADH has since issued a timeline of potential exposure sites, warning residents who visited these places on specific dates and times to monitor for symptoms of the highly contagious virus.
This measles outbreak, though currently small in number, has sparked concern due to its geographic spread and the number of locations involved. Public health experts are now working to identify and notify individuals who may have come into contact with infected persons.
The state’s first case was reported on April 10 in Saline County, marking the beginning of what is now a multi-county outbreak. Since then, the virus has shown up in Pulaski, Faulkner, Sebastian, and Mississippi Counties.
Public Exposure Sites Across Arkansas
In Faulkner County, the timeline of potential exposures is extensive. Locations include:
• Arkansas Pediatrics of Conway (April 7): 9:10–11:25 a.m. and 4–6:45 p.m.
• Conway Regional Greenbrier Family Medicine (April 18 and April 21): Multiple hours across both days.
• Irby Dance Studio in Conway (April 23): 5:30–9:30 p.m.
• Ed’s Supply and Kum & Go on May 1: spanning from morning to mid-afternoon.
• Most recently, Central Arkansas Pediatrics on May 5: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Pulaski County saw potential exposures at Arkansas Children’s Emergency Department on both April 8 and 9. In Saline County, exposures were reported at Baptist Health Urgent Care, Saline Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, and Benton Family Clinic between April 6 and 8.
Meanwhile, Sebastian County had two reported sites: Mercy Hospital Fort Smith and Best Friend Pet Clinic, both on different dates in April.
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In Mississippi County, exposure was traced to Big River Steel in Osceola, where individuals may have been exposed over four consecutive days, from April 25 to April 28, between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Symptoms and What to Watch For
The ADH continues to urge Arkansans to be vigilant, particularly if they were present at any of the affected locations. Measles symptoms generally develop 7 to 14 days after exposure and can include:
• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Conjunctivitis (red or watery eyes)
• Rash that typically begins on the face and spreads downward
“Anyone who may have been exposed and begins experiencing symptoms should immediately contact their healthcare provider before showing up in person,” the department said in a recent alert. “This helps prevent further spread of the virus.”
Highly Contagious but Preventable
Measles is known for its high transmissibility. According to health experts, the virus can live in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. For every 10 people who come in contact with the virus and are not vaccinated, 9 will likely become infected.
Despite its seriousness, measles is preventable. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is considered highly effective, with two doses providing around 97% protection. ADH officials are encouraging anyone who is unsure of their vaccination status to get in touch with their healthcare provider.
A Reminder of Why Vigilance Matters
The reappearance of measles in Arkansas, a disease once considered eliminated in the United States in 2000, is part of a broader national concern. While most of the population is vaccinated, declining vaccination rates in some areas have left pockets of vulnerability.
“Measles can be a very serious illness, especially in young children and people with weakened immune systems,” a public health spokesperson noted. “We urge the public to take this outbreak seriously.”
Health officials are continuing their contact tracing efforts and are asking the public to cooperate with any instructions from the ADH or local health departments. That includes staying home if symptoms appear and following quarantine guidelines if advised.
Public Cooperation Critical to Containment
As the case count has doubled from three to six in recent days, health officials warn that things could get worse if preventive steps aren’t followed.
“We are working diligently to identify contacts and prevent further spread,” the Arkansas Department of Health stated. “Our goal is to contain this outbreak as quickly as possible.”
There are no current indications that the outbreak has spread into schools, workplaces beyond those already listed, or other community institutions. However, the ADH is monitoring the situation closely and could release further exposure sites if investigations uncover additional risks.
With the latest exposure having occurred as recently as May 5, it’s possible more cases may be identified in the coming days. Officials stress that rapid action—through testing, quarantine, and vaccination—is the best way to avoid a more widespread outbreak.
The Path Ahead
While six cases may not sound like many, in the world of infectious diseases, each case matters—especially one as contagious as measles. What begins as a handful of infections can quickly snowball if community immunity is low or if people don’t take the warnings seriously.
The Arkansas Department of Health continues to update its website with new information, including where and when the public may have been exposed. They also encourage anyone with questions to contact their hotline or visit their local health unit for support.
For now, residents in the affected counties are advised to stay informed, be cautious, and—if unsure—get vaccinated.
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