The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has declared the end of the measles outbreak that affected West Texas earlier this year. According to DSHS, no new cases have been reported in the affected counties for more than 42 days, which meets the criteria used by public health professionals to determine when an outbreak is over.
Since late January, a total of 762 measles cases were confirmed during the outbreak. More than two-thirds of those infected were children. The outbreak led to 99 hospitalizations and resulted in two deaths among school-aged children.
“I want to highlight the tireless work of the public health professionals across the state who contributed to the containment of one of the most contagious viruses. We arrived at this point through a comprehensive outbreak response that included testing, vaccination, disease monitoring and educating the public about measles through awareness campaigns,” said DSHS Commissioner Jennifer A. Shuford, MD, MPH. “I also want to recognize the many health care professionals who identified and treated cases of a virus that most providers had never seen in person before this outbreak.”
Health officials define an outbreak as over after twice the maximum incubation period—42 days—has passed without new cases. Measles can take up to 21 days from exposure for symptoms to appear.
DSHS cautions that while this particular outbreak has ended, measles remains a threat due to ongoing outbreaks elsewhere in North America and globally. The agency urges healthcare providers in Texas to continue monitoring for symptoms and testing patients if measles is suspected.
Measles is described as a highly contagious respiratory illness that can result in serious complications, especially for unvaccinated individuals. One in five children with measles may require hospitalization; about one in twenty develop pneumonia. Rare outcomes include brain swelling or death, and there are additional risks for pregnant women such as premature birth or low birth weight infants.
Transmission occurs through direct contact with infectious droplets or airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Early signs typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes followed by a distinctive rash.
Those who suspect they may have contracted measles are advised to isolate themselves and contact their healthcare provider before visiting any medical facility.
Immunization remains the primary method for preventing infection. Two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (typically administered as MMR) provide strong protection against infection and help reduce both severity and likelihood of spreading the virus if infection does occur. Vaccination is recommended at ages 12-15 months with a second dose between ages 4-6 years.
Healthcare providers are reminded to consult DSHS health alerts for current recommendations on infection control and diagnostic testing, and to report suspected cases immediately to local health authorities.
