Texas Measles Outbreak Officially Now The Worst In 30 Years

A highly transmittable disease is quickly sweeping through a West Texas county at an alarming rate.

A measles outbreak has been reported in Texas.

Since the first reports, the number of cases has doubled since being detected in Gaines County in the South Plains region of Texas. The first case was reported three weeks ago and now the county has a total of 48 cases.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services on February 14th, thirteen of the 48 cases have resulted in hospitalizations.

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The state agency reports there are 42 cases in Gaines County, 1 in Lynn County, 3 in Terry County, and 2 in Yoakum County. The majority of the cases are in children between the ages of 5 and 17.

What is the measles?

A highly contagious respiratory illness that is transmitted and contracted through infectious airborne droplets or spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.

The virus can remain airborne after an infected person leaves the area for up to two hours.

Symptoms of the measles include:

• fever of 101 degrees or higher
• cough
• runny nose
• red and watery eyes
• conjunctivitis - white specs in the back of the mouth
• rash near the hairline and progresses down the body

Symptoms of the virus usually begin to appear about a week after exposure with a telltale sign of red spots on the face and trunk of the body. The infected are contagious for up to four days before the rash appears to four days after afterward. (DSHS)

How to prevent contracting the airborne virus

It is suggested that children receive a round of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine when they are between 6 and 11 months, then again between 12 and 15 months, and then when the child is between 4 and 6 years old.

Children who do not receive the vaccine as an infant can still receive a series of vaccine shots. Same with teens and adults.