Once again, as the bird flu continues in the United States, another problem has arisen in west Texas.
A measles outbreak has broken out, with cases doubling in size to 48 cases since they were first reported on Feb. 11.
As of Friday, Feb. 14, 13 people have been hospitalized.
State health officials have said that the cases are and have been focused on a “close-knit under-vaccinated” community in Gaines County.
However, they have also spread to the nearby counties of Terry, Yoakum and Lynn.
As of Feb. 15, the number of cases had reached 48, all unvaccinated or with an unknown vaccine history.
Most of the age ranges for these cases are children under the age of 18, but there are five cases with individuals over 18.
These measles cases are likely not all of them, with health officials telling NBC News that they are suspecting over 200 to 300 cases in the western Texas area.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children get the first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12- 15 months and another at 4-6 years old.
If the second dose is given at least 28 days after the first dose, children can receive it earlier.
Every dosage of the MMR vaccine lowers the risk of infection and, in the event that they do get it, the severity of the sickness.
According to the CDC, Louisiana has not reported any measles cases as of Feb. 6.
However, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has decided to stop promoting mass vaccination, according to a news release and statements made on social media by the state attorney general and his deputy on Feb. 13.
This raises concerns among health experts as a measles outbreak expands in West Texas.
Measles has become uncommon in the U.S., but there have been outbreaks in regions where vaccination rates have decreased (such as Texas).
Most children who contract measles either have not received their recommended vaccinations or are too young to be vaccinated against measles.
Health officials in Texas are working on educating schools on recognizing measles symptoms and vaccinating their children.
Texas legislation allows children to receive exemptions from school vaccinations for reasons of conscience (e.g. religious beliefs).
According to state data, the ratio of children with exemptions has increased over the past ten years, from 0.76% in 2014 to 2.32% last year.
When an infected individual breathes, coughs or sneezes, the measles virus can spread through the air or by contact with infectious droplets.
The virus can still spread through the air up to two hours after the infected individual has left the area.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, symptoms such as a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes start to appear a week or two following exposure.
A few days later, a rash appears on the face as flat, red dots that subsequently spread to the rest of the body via the neck and torso.
A person is contagious between four days before and four days after the rash begins.
The MMR vaccine is available in Louisiana for both children and adults. Getting the vaccine is one of the few ways to prevent the spread of measles. This vaccine has proved to be mostly successful, with a 93% effective rate at one dose and a 97% effective rate at two doses.
If you have not received your MMR vaccine, they are located at any health clinic, doctor’s office and pharmacy around Louisiana.