Citing 4 confirmed measles cases in the last month and 9 cases for the year, the Texas Department of State Health Services has issued a health alert and is urging immunization against this highly contagious illness.
There were no measles cases reported in 2012 and 6 cases in 2011.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune or vaccinated will also become infected with the measles virus.
The incubation period of measles is about 2 weeks from exposure to onset of rash. People are contagious from four days before onset of rash to four days after the appearance of rash. The rash usually begins on the face and spreads to the trunk. Other symptoms include fever (higher than 101ºF), cough, runny nose and sore eyes.
Vaccination even shortly before or after exposure may prevent the disease or lessen the symptoms in people who are infected with measles. Immune globulin given up to 6 days after exposure may prevent disease among susceptible or unvaccinated people at high risk for complications, such as pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and children too young to be vaccinated.