Update: 5 Cases Of Measles Confirmed In 3 Houston Area Counties

HOUSTON — Public health officials in Harris, Montgomery and Galveston counties have confirmed cases of the measles, spurring concerns of a possible outbreak.

Officials in Harris County confirmed on Monday that a woman between the age of 25-35, and two boys under the age of two have the measles.

Officials in Galveston County said they have one confirmed case in a boy younger than 2-years old, while Montgomery County officials confirmed a girl who is younger than 2-years old has the measles

Measles is a highly contagious virus that develops within two weeks of initial exposure, if the patient is not vaccinated.

Signs and symptoms of measles typically include:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek — also called Koplik's spots
• A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another

The infection occurs in sequential stages over a period of two to three weeks.

The Mayo Clinic recommends that if someone in your household has measles, take these precautions to protect vulnerable family and friends:

• Isolation. Because measles is highly contagious from about four days before to four days after the rash breaks out, people with measles shouldn't return to activities in which they interact with other people during this period. It may also be necessary to keep non-immunized people — siblings, for example — away from the infected person.
• Vaccinate. Be sure that anyone who's at risk of getting the measles who hasn't been fully vaccinated receives the measles vaccine as soon as possible. This includes anyone born after 1957 who hasn't been vaccinated, as well as infants older than 6 months. The first dose for infants is usually given between 12 and 15 months, with the second dose typically given between ages four and six years. If you'll be traveling abroad before your child is a year old, talk with your child's doctor about getting the measles vaccine earlier.

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