TEXAS – On Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas. At this time, 48 cases have been identified with symptom onset within the last three weeks. Thirteen of the patients have been hospitalized. All of the cases are unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown. Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with South Plains Public Health District and Lubbock Public Health to investigate the outbreak.
According to the World Health Organization, Measles can affect anyone but it is most common in children. It infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash all over the body.
Two doses of a vaccine against measles, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, are highly effective at preventing measles and the most proactive measure to prevent getting sick.
For more information, visit:
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-feb-14-2025
(Photo: Unsplash)
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