Details of the Outbreak

Health officials have confirmed that an adult resident of Rockwall County tested positive for measles last week after traveling to West Texas. The individual was primarily at home during the infectious period and has since recovered, no longer posing a risk to others.

The Rockwall County Health Authority collaborated with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to identify and notify individuals who may have been in close contact with the infected person during the contagious phase.

Current State of Measles Cases in Texas

As of the latest updates, the number of measles cases in Texas linked to the West Texas outbreak has risen to 561 since January. This figure does not encompass confirmed cases reported after that date, as reported by state health officials.

On Tuesday, the Texas DSHS reported 20 new cases, underscoring the ongoing nature of the outbreak. Among these cases, fewer than 25 individuals were believed to be still infectious since the rash onset occurred over a week ago.

Statistics of the Outbreak

The majority of new cases were concentrated in Gaines County, which saw an increase of nine cases, pushing its total to 364. This county alone accounts for nearly 65% of all reported cases in the state.

In total, the outbreak has resulted in 58 hospitalizations since it began. Alarmingly, two school-aged children have died from complications related to measles. Both children were unvaccinated and lacked any known underlying health issues, according to state health officials.

Vaccination Status of Affected Individuals

The vaccination statuses of those affected are concerning:

• Not vaccinated/unknown vaccination status: 550
• Vaccinated with one dose: 4
• Vaccinated with two or more doses: 7

Measles Overview

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection transmitted via respiratory droplets or airborne particles. The measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.

Symptoms typically arise one to two weeks post-exposure and include:

• High fever (up to 105°F)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red and watery eyes
• Rash that develops within 3 to 5 days following initial symptoms, starting from the face and spreading to the trunk and limbs
• Tiny white spots may also appear inside the mouth shortly after symptoms begin

Prevention Strategies

The most effective way to prevent measles is through vaccination with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is given in two doses. While some vaccinated individuals may still contract measles, they usually experience milder symptoms and are less likely to spread the virus.