Measles on the Move: Texas Parents Rush to Vaccinate Kids

Measles is making a comeback in Texas, and parents are taking notice. The virus has been spreading rapidly, with most cases popping up in West Texas, near the New Mexico border. This has left many parents worried and rushing to get their kids vaccinated. The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed 124 cases since late January. Most of these cases are among children under 18. Many of these kids were not vaccinated or did not receive their second MMR shot, which is usually given around age 5. The MMR vaccine is highly effective, but it's not foolproof. Five of the 124 people with measles in Texas had already received at least one dose of the MMR shot. Measles is highly contagious. It spreads through tiny respiratory particles that can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. This is why mobile health care units are setting up shop in emergency department parking lots, offering measles testing and vaccines to keep people out of the hospital. The outbreak is expected to grow, and health authorities are on high alert. A person infected with measles traveled outside of the outbreak area, visiting public places like the University of Texas at San Antonio campus and various restaurants. This means contact tracing is crucial. Health officials are working hard to track down anyone who might have been exposed. Symptoms of measles include high fever, coughing, runny nose, and red, irritated eyes, followed by a rash. These symptoms may not appear until two weeks after exposure. Health officials are working tirelessly to manage the outbreak and provide guidance to those at risk. The outbreak has put a strain on resources. Health officials are concerned about the manpower needed to do all the contact tracing. If the outbreak grows, they will need more help to keep up.