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By Jasmine Laws
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There has been an outbreak of measles in Texas, with at least four cases confirmed so far, two of which involve school children, prompting state health services to issue an alert.
Newsweek has contacted the Texas Department of State Health Services out of hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Measles is an extremely infectious illness and can be especially dangerous for infants, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, with the potential to cause to serious and even deathly complications.
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What To Know
On January 23, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued a health alert after there were two confirmed cases of measles in the state, the first since 2023.
The first two cases were reported as adults who reside in the same household in Harris County and were unvaccinated against measles.
There were then two more cases confirmed by DSHS on January 30, who were both described as being unvaccinated, school-age children in Gaines County. The two children were hospitalized in Lubbock and have since been discharged.
According to the local news outlet, The Texas Tribute, for some communities in Texas, these are the first cases of measles in more than 20 years.
In Austin, there have been no confirmed cases of measles since 2019, and Austin Public Health (APH) urged residents to "take proactive measures to protect themselves and their families."
Texas has seen a drop in vaccinations, such as the measles vaccine, since the pandemic, The Texas Tribute reported, as have many other states.
Per the outlet, measles was eradicated from the U.S. in 2000, but has since returned. In 2024, there were four times more outbreaks of measles nationwide than in 2023, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Measles is an airborne disease, and can spread rapidly in communities with low vaccination rates, and initially results in symptoms including a high fever, a cough, a runny nose, and red or watery eyes, according to the CDC.
It is after three to five days that an infected person will develop the rash typically associated with the disease.
The symptoms can progress into complications like an ear infection or diarrhea and in more serious circumstances, can result in hospitalization, pneumonia, encephalitis (a swelling of the brain) and even death.
According to the CDC, nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
What People Are Saying
Lara Anton, spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services, wrote in the DSHS news release: "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."
Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said in a city government press release: "Vaccination is our best defense against measles and other preventable diseases. By staying up to date on vaccinations, we not only protect ourselves but also the most vulnerable members of our community."
What Happens Next
In its alert, the DSHS wrote that, due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, "additional cases may occur."
It wrote: "We advise clinicians to follow the recommendations below and report any suspected cases to your local health department immediately, preferably while the patient is in your presence."
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