Health Officials Confirm Fourth Case Of Measles In Harris County

HOUSTON — Health department officials have confirmed the fourth case of measles in Harris County. This latest case was confirmed on Wednesday in a male between the age of 15 and 24, officials said. The man was not vaccinated against the measles virus, officials said.

This latest case brings the regional number of cases to 6. Earlier this month, Harris County Health Department officials confirmed a case of measles in a woman between the age of 25-35, and in two boys under the age of two.

Health department officials in Galveston and Montgomery County also revealed one confirmed case in each county.

Measles is a preventable disease that has begun a resurgence in recent years. According to the Center for Disease Control, children should get two doses of MMR vaccine which prevents the spread of measles, mumps, and rubella.

Children should receive the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4- through 6- years old. Teens and adults also should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination.

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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