Measles Cases Reported in Texas Amid Falling Vaccination Rates

Health officials in Texas are very concerned after four measles cases were confirmed in the state. This includes two cases in Lubbock, which hadn't seen any measles cases in over 20 years. The current increase is happening because measles vaccination rates in Texas have fallen over the last four years.

Measles is a very infectious disease that spreads through the air. It can cause symptoms like fever, coughing, a runny nose, watery eyes, and a rash all over the body. In serious cases, it can cause hospital stays or death, especially in young children who are not protected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that around 1 in 5 people in the U.S. who get measles and haven't had the vaccine need to go to the hospital. Also, up to 3 out of every 1,000 sick children may die from complications.

Health officials in Houston said the two confirmed cases are connected to recent trips abroad and shared a list of places where people might have been exposed. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported two cases in the South Plains area. Both instances involved school-aged children who were not vaccinated. They were hospitalized but have now been released.

Lubbock health director Katherine Wells said that the children received treatment at a local health care center, but they do not live in Lubbock. Officials are collaborating with local health experts to determine whether there were any possible cases of community exposure.

Health officials are encouraging everyone to get vaccinated and to see a doctor if they have a fever or rash. They stress that measles can spread quickly among the unprotected.

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