Measles outbreak in Texas: Latest updates, data and cases

DALLAS — More than 730 cases of measles have been reported in Texas, including seven here in North Texas, and two children in Lubbock have died from the virus, health officials said.

The number of cases, mostly from the West Texas outbreak, increased by six when officials released new data on June 17, bringing the total to 750. At least 97 people have been hospitalized so far, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Based on the most recent data, DSHS has identified designated outbreak counties with ongoing measles transmission:  Cochran, Dawson, Gaines, Lamar, Lubbock, Terry and Yoakum. 

In early June, Dallas County Health and Human Services confirmed the county’s first case of measles. Health officials say the infected woman is in her mid-20s who they say is fully vaccinated. She was contagious from May 30 until June 7, DCHHS siad.

On May 5, Denton County Public Health reported the second case of measles in a child of unknown vaccination status and a recent history of international travel. 

The first case was discovered in an adult of unknown vaccination status on April 30. That person went to several places after exposure. Most notably, they attended the April 19 Texas Rangers game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, officials said. 39,244 people attended that game.

In Tarrant County, officials confirmed someone who had visited the Methodist Mansfield ER had contracted measles.

On April 23, Collin County health officials confirmed that a middle-school-aged child contracted measles. The child attends Willow Springs Middle School in Lucas, Texas. A second Collin County case was confirmed on May 2, a person who had gone to Walmart.

Two North Texas cases in Rockwall County and four cases in Paris-Lamar County have been previously reported in North Texas. On Thursday, April 17, Collin County officials reported that someone with measles had visited three stores in Plano on April 10-11. Here are more details on that advisory.

On March 13, officials with the Paris-Lamar County Health District confirmed that four cases of measles were discovered in individuals ranging from 5 months to adult age. The department confirmed that the individuals traveled to Gianes County during the measles outbreak.

The Texas Department of State Health Services releases new data on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Here’s what we know about measles, so far:

The main measles outbreak has been in the South Plains region of West Texas. Most of the cases have been among unvaccinated children, although two people who are vaccinated have been among the cases, according to health officials.

On Feb. 26, Rockwall County confirmed the first case of measles in an unvaccinated adult resident. That same day, Mexia ISD in Limestone County reported one case of German measles, also known as Rubella, within the district. However, the Texas DSHS confirmed to WFAA that the reported rubella case in Mexia was untrue. 

“There have been no recent confirmed rubella cases in Texas. We’ve been able to piece together what happened in the Mexia situation. In following up on that report, we’ve been able to determine that a child had a positive result on an antibody test that would show immunity from a previous vaccination or infection. It apparently got misreported to the parent, who passed the information on to the school,” Texas DSHS said in a statement to WFAA.

During a press briefing on Friday, February 28, Austin Public Health confirmed that an unvaccinated toddler was exposed to measles while traveling overseas. Everyone else in the child’s family is vaccinated. Officials said that this case appears to be unrelated to an ongoing measles outbreak in the South Plains region of Texas.

In Houston, health officials said they’re investigating two possible cases of measles.

Yes. State officials on Saturday, April 5, said a school-aged child died in Lubbock. Health officials said the child died Thursday from “what the child’s doctor described as measles pulmonary failure” and did not have underlying health conditions.

In late February, a six-year-old girl died from measles. The child was not vaccinated, according to health officials. The mother and father said their daughter was the first of their five children to become infected. In an interview with an anti-vaccine activist organization, the parents remain opposed to vaccinations.

While two deaths have been reported, 64 people have been hospitalized in the West Texas outbreak, officials say. The person who has the virus in Rockwall County was also hospitalized.

Yes. State officials confirmed that eight cases of measles were discovered in individuals ranging from 5 months to adult age.

On June 12, Dallas County Health and Human Services confirmed a woman in her mid-20s who they say is fully vaccinated, tested positive for measles. Health officials said she was contagious from May 30 until June 7. 

Back on Feb. 26, Rockwall County confirmed the first case of measles in an unvaccinated adult resident. The case was reported to the state health department on Feb. 25. The Rockwall County Emergency Management Department confirmed to WFAA that the patient is currently hospitalized, but it’s unclear if they have other health problems that might have worsened their symptoms. The department and DSHS also said the patient recently traveled internationally. The virus expert analyzing this case believes the person caught the measles during their international trip, returned home, and then became sick. As of now, DSHS said it doesn’t appear that the individual visited public places in Rockwall while they were contagious. There is no timeline of the person’s travel or when they started to become ill, officials said.

On March 13, officials with the Paris-Lamar County Health District confirmed four cases of measles. The department confirmed that the individuals had traveled to Gaines County during the measles outbreak. According to health officials, these individuals were not vaccinated.

On April 16, Rockwall County confirmed its second case of measles. The individual recently traveled to West Texas and was at home for most of their infectious period, the county said. People who were exposed to the virus when the individual sought medical treatment have been notified of their exposure by the county, the release states. Health officials did not disclose whether the individual was vaccinated or not. 

On April 23, Collin County health officials confirmed a middle-school-age child contracted measles. The child attends Willow Springs Middle School, part of Lovejoy ISD in Lucas, officials said. This is the first known case of a child contracting measles in the DFW Metroplex. A second Collin County case was confirmed on May 2, a person who had gone to Walmart.

On May 3, Tarrant County officials confirmed someone who had visited Methodist Mansfield ER from 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29 to 3 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30 contracted measles.

On May 5, Denton County officials reported the county’s second case of measles this year in a child of unknown vaccination status and a recent history of international travel. 

As the number of measles cases reported in Texas continues to grow. Here are the North Texas schools most and least at risk of a breakout infection.

WFAA Anchor Dia Wall held a Q&A with the Chief of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Health, Dr. Jeffrey Kahn. Watch the full video below

According to the Centers for Disease Control, measles is a highly contagious virus that can be serious. In its definition, the CDC notes, “Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk,” adding that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles.

Measles symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after infection, the CDC said.

• High fever (may spike to more than 104°)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes or conjunctivitis
• Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin

A rash typically appears three to five days after the first symptoms, according to the CDC. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline. They then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.

• Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
• The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
• When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit.

Measles spreads through infectious droplets and the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. It’s important to note that the measles virus can remain infectious in the air up to two hours after an infected person leaves.

Symptoms of measles don’t show up until a week, sometimes two weeks, after exposure. The challenge is that those infected are contagious about four days before any outward signs of the virus appear.

The Texas Department of State Health Services provides guidance for those who believe they have been exposed to measles.

• Stay home from work, school and other group settings until after the fourth day of the rash onset
• Isolate, especially if you are unvaccinated against measles
• Call your doctor before you show up to get tested, so they can prepare
• Unvaccinated kids shall be excluded from schools and childcare settings for at least 21 days from exposure to a measles case, according to the Texas Administrative Code

Get more information on how long kids will be out of school and when they can return to Texas online here.

Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis, according to the CDC.

“That’s the age group where most hospitalizations and complications have been described. Again, this will be mostly on those less than 5 years of age who have not been vaccinated. So historically, because measles was a disease that we rarely see, most adults are already immune from prior vaccination because of the fact that there was no circulation,” Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Children’s Medical Center Plano, said.

Hospitalization and complications during pregnancy are also documented risks of the virus.

In addition to young children, those most at risk also include pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection.

According to the CDC, measles was eradicated in 2000 and has been rarely reported since then. The agency stresses that the best protection is the vaccine.

The CDC recommends all children get two doses of the MMR, or measles-mumps-rubella, vaccine with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. Children can also get the second dose earlier, at least 28 days following the first dose.

For students at post-high school educational institutions without the vaccine, a two-dose MMR vaccine is recommended, separated by at least 28 days.

For adults who do not have the vaccine, at least one dose of MMR vaccine is recommended.

Full schedule and information here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/index.html

Whitworth suggests families with babies who are too young to receive the vaccine take extra precautions.

“Make sure the parents; vaccines are up to date, make sure the siblings’ vaccines are up to date. If grandparents are keeping those kids, make sure the grandparents’ vaccines are up to date,” she said. “Avoid any contact with people who have cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash. Avoid all ill contacts.”