The Texas Department of State (DSHS) Measles outbreak South Plains area of the state.
The agency first confirmed the outbreak on February 5th and has been growing ever since.
Tuesday’s update said 58 cases had been identified within the last three weeks due to symptoms.
Measles is continuing in Texas. Case 2x: Investigation is underway
It can be most It has been reported to childrenaffecting children under the age of 4, 33 cases affecting 5-17 cases, with only six cases occurring in adults. The age is still pending for four cases.
According to DSHS, 13 of these patients are hospitalized, with only four confirmed vaccinations being vaccinated. The remaining patients are unvaccinated or unknown. Vaccination status.
Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes followed by red spots that appear on the face and neck. (istock)
45 measles cases have been reported in Gaines County. Others are spread across Terry County (9), Yoakum (2), Lubbock (1), and Lynn (1).
“Due to the highly contagious nature of the disease, there is a high possibility that additional cases will occur in Gaines County and surrounding communities,” DSHS reported in an update on its website.
“If you’re not vaccinated, there’s a 90% chance you’ll get it, and the person with measles will step into the room they were two hours ago.”
“DSHS is working with the South Plains Public Health District and Lubbock Public Health to investigate. Outbreak. ”
Dr. Nicole Saffier talks about the safety of MMR vaccines for children
The agency adds that the best way to prevent illness is to receive two doses for measles, which are “mainly administered” as measles vaccinations, mumps and rubella (MMR) Ta.
Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst at Fox News, commented on the spread threat.
The best way to prevent measles infection is to take a combination of measles, mumps and the Levela (MMR) vaccine, according to health officials. (istock)
“It’s spreading [58] In the case, there are hundreds because vaccine compliance rates for that part of Texas are just over 80% and 95% are needed for herd immunity, so there are hundreds,” he told Fox News Digital.
Siegel described measles as “most contagious.” Respiratory virus On the planet. ”
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“If you’re not vaccinated, there’s a 90% chance you’ll get it and step into the room where someone with measles was two hours ago,” he warned.
“Texas is generally at risk, especially those who are not pregnant or unable to take a viral vaccine that is alive due to immunodeficiency.”
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The rise in cases has been around more than 20 years since health agencies reported that the disease was “excluded” in 2000.
Measles can spread through direct contact with infectious droplets or can be in the air when an infected person breathes or coughs or sneezes. virus It can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.
In March 2024, several people living in immigration shelters in Chicago tested positive for measles. (AP/Erin Hooley)
Symptoms usually appear within a week or two and can include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
A few days later, flat red spots appeared on my face, spreading my neck over the rest of my body. People are most contagious 4 days before and 4 days after the rash appears.
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According to the DSHS, anyone who believes that he has or may be exposed should self-reviate and call a doctor before arriving at the test.
Alexandra Koch of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
