The Texas Department of State Health Services is continuing tracking measles cases in four counties across the South Plains.
State health officials report a total of 49 cases have been confirmed in Gaines, Lynn, Terry and Yoakum counties.
Forty-two of those cases are in Gaines County, one in Lynn County, three in Terry County and two in Yoakum County.
Lubbock Public Health has confirmed one case of measles in Lubbock County in an unvaccinated school aged child who was exposed at a medical facility.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness, which can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus. Measles can be transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.
The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. People who are infected will begin to have symptoms within a week or two after being exposed. Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A few days later, the telltale rash breaks out as flat, red spots on the face and then spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body.
A person is contagious about four days before the rash appears to four days after. People who could have measles should stay home during that period.
People who think they have measles or may have been exposed to measles should isolate themselves and call their health care provider before arriving to be tested. It is important to let the provider know that the patient may have measles and to get instructions on how to come to the office for diagnosis without exposing other people to the virus.
The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a measlescontaining vaccine, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumpsrubella or MMR vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine prevent more than 97 percent of measles infections.
A small number of vaccinated people can occasionally develop measles. In these cases, the symptoms are generally milder, and they are less likely to spread the disease to other people. DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend children receive one does of MMR at 12 to 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years. Children too young to be vaccinated are more likely to have severe complications if they get infected with the measles virus. However, each MMR dose lowers the risk of infection and the severity of illness if infected.
Health care providers can find recommendations for infection control and diagnostic testing in the health alert issued last week. Providers should report any suspected cases to their local health department immediately, preferably while the patient is still with the provider.
Below are ways to identify symptoms and what to do if you think you have been exposed. Symptoms appear seven to 21 days after contact with the virus, and may include: - High fever - Cough - Runny nose - Red, watery eyes - Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth.
- Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash that appears flat and red may appear on the face and hairline. This rash tends to spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.
If you believe you have been exposed to measles or are experiencing symptoms: - Isolate yourself immediately to prevent spreading the virus to others.
- Contact your healthcare provider by phone to arrange testing in a way that minimizes exposure to others (do not show up unannounced).
- Watch for symptoms, which typically develop 7 to 21 days after exposure. What to do if you need immediate medical care: - Follow any signage on facility doors.
- Take protective measures such as wearing a mask when you enter the facility.
- Inform the front desk that you think you may have measles or if you’ve been around someone with confirmed measles.
- Limit the number of people who enter the facility, if possible send one person inside to register.
When to seek immediate emergency care: - High fever (over 103°F). - Severe cough or difficulty breathing.
- Signs of severe complications like seizures, confusion, or extreme fatigue/ weakness.
- Dehydration.