ALERT: Rise Is Measles Cases Alarm Texas Authorities

Some are calling it an outbreak, others are cautioning about an increase in Measles cases in Texas, and in particular two cases in the Lubbock area have health authorities worried about what is next.

According to Newsweek, there have been at least 4 confirmed cases in Texas including two cases involving children. The children are reportedly from Gaines County who were being hospitalized in Lubbock, but have been released.

The first two cases that were reported are adults from Harris County. Both adults were unvaccinated and live together.

The cases have led the Texas Department of State Health Services to issue a health alert for Texas. According to Newsweek, for some counties in Texas, it's been at least 20 years since they have seen a case of measles.

Why Is There A Measles Outbreak in Texas?

Since the COVID pandemic there has been a decrease in the amount of children and older adults getting vaccinated against measles. Newsweek reports that in 2000,  authorities considered measles eradicated.

READ MORE: Measles Alert In Lubbock

Measles is an airborne disease that can spread quickly in areas where the vaccine rate is low. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes initially. About three to five days after, the infected person will develop a rash. After that, symptoms can get much worse according to Newsweek.

The symptoms can progress into complications like an ear infection or diarrhea and in more serious circumstances, can result in hospitalization, pneumonia, encephalitis (a swelling of the brain) and even death.

According to the CDC, nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.

Health authorities urge anyone who thinks they may have measles to isolate and call their health care provider.