Texas Health Department Issues Alert Following Measles Outbreak in Montgomery County
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has issued a health alert after confirming four cases of measles in an unvaccinated family in Montgomery County. The infection was traced back to an individual who traveled to Texas from another state. Measles, known for its high contagion rate, poses a significant risk, especially to unvaccinated individuals. Health officials are urging residents to ensure they are vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is over 97% effective. The vaccine is accessible through healthcare providers, with free or low-cost options available for eligible families through the Texas Vaccines for Children program. Symptoms of measles typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash. Infected individuals are contagious from four days before to four days after the rash appears.