1,000 people monitored for possible measles in Arizona ahead of Super Bowl

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Just days ahead of the Super Bowl, Arizona health officials are monitoring 1,000 people, including 200 children, for possible measles exposure.

The disease continues to spread across the country, including Arizona where the big game will be played on Sunday. There are concerns the virus could spread further with the big crowd.

There are now 64 confirmed cases of measles linked to an outbreak that started at Disneyland.

According to the California Department of Public Health, 50 of the infections are in California. In addition to Arizona, other cases have popped up in Washington, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, Nebraska and Mexico.

Health officials warn this is a critical time in the outbreak.

Experts believe the outbreak began last month after an unvaccinated family was infected at Disneyland. Then, a woman exposed to them contracted it. Because measles is spread through the air, doctors worry she may have exposed nearly 200 children to the virus when she visited a clinic in the Phoenix area, where 1,000 adults are being monitored.

"What they're being told is to watch for signs and symptoms of measles," said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine with the Maricopa County Public Health Division.

With Super Bowl fans heading to the big game this weekend, medical students will be out looking for anyone with measles-like symptoms which include fever, cough, runny nose, pink eye and rash.

Most of those infected at the park last month were not vaccinated.

One of those cases is at Palm Desert High School in Palmdale, where a student contracted the virus. Sixty-six classmates have been told to stay home for two weeks because they cannot prove they were vaccinated.

As the virus spreads, so does the worry about a disease. Doctors insist your best defense is the vaccine.

Some parents have chosen not to have their children vaccinated over concerns the vaccine could cause autism.

In addition to some schools, some doctors are also now banning patients who have not been vaccinated against measles.

Doctors are telling anyone potentially exposed to measles and not vaccinated to stay away from public places for 21 days.

ABC News contributed to this report.