As a significant measles outbreak continues to spread across Texas, health officials are reporting a notable shift: More parents who had previously declined vaccination are now seeking the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine for their children.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 124 cases of measles since late January, primarily concentrated in West Texas counties near the New Mexico border. The majority of those affected are children and teenagers, with 18 requiring hospitalization due to complications like breathing difficulties. Alarmingly, nearly all of these individuals were either unvaccinated or had not received their second recommended MMR dose.
“We’re seeing increased anxiety among families as measles spreads in our communities, particularly among children,” explains Katherine Wells, Director of Public Health for Lubbock’s health department. “We’ve administered vaccines to many children who were previously unvaccinated, including some from families who had reservations about vaccines.” Wells noted that roughly half of the MMR doses given by her department last week were to previously unvaccinated children.
The highly contagious nature of measles is driving the urgency. The virus spreads through airborne particles that can linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. To combat the spread, mobile healthcare units have been deployed to offer measles testing and vaccinations in hard-hit areas.
“Because measles is so contagious and airborne, we’re using the mobile unit to keep potentially infected individuals out of the hospital,” said Chad Curry, Training Chief for the University Medical Center EMS, who is overseeing the mobile unit’s operations.
These mobile units are also providing immunoglobulin (IG) shots to individuals with confirmed measles exposure who are at high risk of developing complications. IG, an antibody, can help the immune system fight off the infection if administered within six days of exposure.
Health officials are bracing for the outbreak to expand further. The Texas Department of State Health Services recently alerted the public that an infected individual traveled outside the outbreak zone to other parts of Texas, including the University of Texas at San Antonio campus and various public locations.
Measles symptoms in this outbreak have been consistent with classic presentations, including high fever (up to 104 degrees), cough, runny nose, red and irritated eyes, followed by a rash that begins on the scalp and spreads downward. Symptoms can take up to two weeks to appear after exposure.
Contact tracing efforts are underway to identify and inform individuals who may have been exposed in public spaces. “My biggest concern is the manpower required for the extensive contact tracing,” said Dr. Ronald Cook, Chief Health Officer at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock.
Health officials urge parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles to protect them from this serious and highly contagious disease. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, providing 97% protection after two doses.
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