Texas Department of State Health Services Issues Measles Alert

Citing six confirmed measles cases in the last month and 11 cases for the year, the Texas Department of State Health Services has issued a health alert and is urging immunization against this highly contagious illness.

State health officials are asking healthcare providers to be on alert for potential exposures and patients with measles symptoms, particularly in the North Texas area. The six most recently confirmed cases are from Tarrant County. Other Texas counties with cases this year include Dallas (2), Denton (2) and Harris (1).

There were no measles cases reported in 2012 and six cases in 2011.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune or vaccinated will also become infected with the measles virus.

State health officials urge immunization to protect against and prevent the spread of measles. People should check their immunization status with their healthcare provider.

The incubation period of measles is about two weeks from exposure to onset of rash. People are contagious from four days before onset of rash to four days after the appearance of rash. The rash usually begins on the face and spreads to the trunk. Other symptoms include fever (higher than 101 degrees), cough, runny nose and sore eyes.

Doctors should consider measles in their diagnosis if they have a patient with a rash and fever. If measles is suspected, they should report the patient to their local health department as soon as possible. People who have measles or are suspected of having measles should seek medical attention and otherwise stay home until four days after the rash appeared.

Vaccination even shortly before or after exposure may prevent the disease or lessen the symptoms in people who are infected with measles. Immune globulin given up to six days after exposure may prevent disease among susceptible or unvaccinated people at high risk for complications, such as pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and children too young to be vaccinated.

The health alert, including vaccination recommendations, is available at: www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/20130816-MHA.pdf