Pima County Health Department officials say they have received complaints from residents in the Rocking K master-planned community about possible respiratory illness and other environmental concerns.
One resident was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia and spent 22 days in the hospital, KOLD reported.
County officials said several residents contacted the health department in recent weeks, reporting what they described as respiratory symptoms and raising concerns about conditions in the neighborhood.
Officials have not confirmed whether the reported illnesses are connected or whether an infectious illness is spreading in the community.
A spokesperson for Rocking K, David Goldstein, said in a statement that the company “prioritizes the health, safety and welfare” of residents and is working with state and local agencies as officials review the concerns.
The complaints prompted a response from multiple county departments, including the health department’s Consumer Health and Food Safety Division, which investigates public health nuisances and vector-related concerns involving animals, insects and other conditions that could pose health risks.
Arizona Game and Fish Department is investigating neighborhood concerns regarding a high number of pigeons in the community, which may be the result of overfeeding, according to county officials.
Meanwhile, the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality is conducting site inspections to determine whether ongoing construction and development activity in Rocking K is complying with county-issued dust control permits.
#Air quality concerns
The neighborhood complaints come as southern Arizona enters the region’s peak ozone season. The American Lung Association’s 2026 State of the Air report gave Pima County an "F" grade for ozone pollution. The Tucson-Nogales metro area ranked 41st nationally for ozone pollution in the latest report.
County environmental quality officials noted that ground-level ozone typically increases between April and September as temperatures rise.
While Pima County received a "B" for particle pollution, there was at least one day in 2024 where levels were deemed "unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
The Pima County Health Department is encouraging any individuals with health concerns related to this situation to contact them at 520-724-7797.
#How county investigations work
Under county and state public health codes, both property owners and occupants may be responsible for addressing conditions that create public health nuisances, including vector infestations.
Loni Anderson, who oversees the county’s Consumer Health and Food Safety Division, said inspectors typically assess outdoor conditions to determine whether issues such as rodent harborage, standing water or other environmental hazards are present.
If an outdoor violation is identified, all responsible parties must remediate it, Anderson said. “We contact the resident to better understand the situation and determine whether there is an issue they may contribute to potential illness and how they will address the health concern,” Anderson wrote in an emailed statement.
The division can initiate a complaint to begin an investigation.
After an onsite evaluation, cases may be referred to the City of Tucson if exterior property concerns are identified, such as weeds, rodent harborage, or other exterior property maintenance issues.
Under Tucson city code, buildings must be maintained free of insect, rodent or other pest infestations when those conditions threaten public health or safety.
