May 16, 6:46 PM EDT

Measles outbreak spreads to Pinal County, infant sickened

FLORENCE, Ariz. (AP) -- Health officials in Pinal County say a measles outbreak in Pima County has now spread north.

Pinal County issued a health advisory Friday saying a 9-month-old child in San Manuel has been diagnosed with the highly contagious disease.

Pima County health officials have been trying to stop the spread of measles since a case first was reported in February. There have been 21 confirmed cases in that county and vaccinations clinics are being held six days a week.

Measles is most severe in infants and children and can cause death in rare cases. It is spread through direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Pinal County officials are now urging parents of children between 6 months and 11 months to make sure their children have been vaccinated.

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