According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 555 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in the United States, up from 465 as of a week ago.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there have been 15 cases confirmed in Texas. With nine documented cases in Texas last year and 15 confirmed already for 2019, medical officials are concerned that numbers will continue to climb.
These cases have been found in 11 different counties with Harris county leading with four cases and Collin county with two cases.
In 2013 the measles case count in Texas reached 27. Texas may be on track to exceed this number for 2019.
According to the Texas Health and Human Services website “measles is a rash that begins as flat, red spots on the face and spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body. Other symptoms include a high fever over 101 degrees, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Anyone who believes they have measles should contact their health care provider as soon as possible.”
Texas health officials say most people who become infected have not been vaccinated. However, the measles vaccine is extremely effective. Doctors say the vaccine is about 97 percent effective after two doses. It is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that children get a dose of measles vaccine at 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years.
