Two Child Deaths, 99 Hospitalized, Deadly West Texas Measles Outbreak Finally Ends

The measles outbreak that has plagued West Texas for months is finally over, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Measles Outbreak in West Texas

Measles has been in the news a lot over the past few months ever since a confirmed outbreak began in January.

Since then, two-thirds of all cases were in children, 99 people were hospitalized in total, and two young children died after contracting the respiratory illness, DSHS reported.

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DSHS Commissioner Jennifer A. Shuford expressed her pride in healthcare workers across this portion of Texas for their efforts in mitigating the measles outbreak.

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.

Health experts believe the outbreak is officially over because it has officially been long enough where, if someone was infected, they would have already seen confirmed symptoms.

Since no new cases have popped up in West Texas in 42 days, that means that the contagious illness is finished with its rampage.

What Is Measles?

Measles is a respiratory illness that is highly contagious. It is common in young children and can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, and complications to pregnancies in adult women.

Measles is transmitted when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs into the air. Symptoms typically show after a week or two from being exposed.

Signs of contracting measles include the following:

• High fever
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Red and watery eyes
• Rash on the face spreading to neck and chest

It is highly advised for anyone with measles to stay home while they are known to be contagious (four days after rash appears until four days after it fades away).