The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas. As of Feb. 21, 90 cases have been identified since late January.
Sixteen of the patients have been hospitalized. Five of the cases are vaccinated. The rest are unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown. Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
There are currently six cases in Dawson County, one in Ector County, 57 in Gaines County, one in Lubbock County, one in Lynn County, 20 in Terry County and four in Yoakum County. There are 26 cases between 0 to 4-yearsold, 51 cases between 5 to 17years-old, 10 cases 18-years-old or higher and three pending age clarification.
A measles outbreak centered in West Texas continues to grow. That outbreak was the subject of a DSHS health alert on Feb. 5, and the latest information on it is available in a DSHS News Update.
The measles virus can survive in the air for up to two hours, so the times listed include two hours after the individual left that location.
Because measles symptoms can begin 7 to 21 days after an exposure, DSHS is sharing this information with health care providers and the public in the area so unvaccinated people may monitor themselves for symptoms and seek testing if symptoms occur.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Illness onset (high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes) begins a week or two after someone is exposed. 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. People with measles should stay home from work or school during that period.
The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles. Some vaccinated people can occasionally develop measles; however, they generally experience milder symptoms and are less likely to spread the disease to other people. DSHS and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend children receive one dose of MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years. Each MMR dose lowers the risk of infection and severity of illness if infected. Children too young to be vaccinated are more likely to have severe complications if they get infected with the measles virus.
People with confirmed or suspected measles should stay home from school, work, and other group settings until after the fourth day of rash onset.
During an outbreak, people without documented immunity from vaccination or previous measles infection should be isolated from anyone with measles to protect those without immunity and control the outbreak. Additional information on school exclusion and readmission can be found at School Communicable Disease Chart.
According to the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Rule §97.7, schools and childcare settings shall exclude unimmunized children for at least 21 days after the last date the unimmunized child was exposed to a measles case.
If you think you have measles or have been exposed to someone with measles, isolate yourself from others and call your healthcare provider before arriving to be tested so they can prepare for your arrival without exposing other people to the virus.
Measles is extremely contagious and can cause lifethreatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus. Review your and your child’s vaccination history to see if you are up to date on your measles vaccines. Additionally, discuss with your provider your vaccination history and any questions about these vaccines.