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Harris County, Texas – A fourth case of measles in Harris County has been confirmed, according to the Harris County Health Department.
The ministry said the patient, aged 15 to 24, was not vaccinated against measles and was coming from southeastern Harris County.
The last case brings to six the total number of people with measles in the Houston area. This total includes four in Harris County, one in Montgomery County and one in Galveston County.
The last case of Harris County could be part of a future pattern since measles has a two week incubation period.
"This tells me that we may be witnessing the second wave of this measles epidemic," said Dr. Peter Hotez, professor of pediatrics and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. "People tend to consider that it's a rash or a mild illness … but I have a very different approach as a specialist scientist vaccines and pediatrician. In the 1980s and 1990s, measles was the leading cause of death among children worldwide. "
The measles virus spreads quickly and is particularly dangerous for unvaccinated people.
Babies benefit from some of their mother's immunity until the age of 6 months and are therefore partially protected. The first vaccine is offered at 12 months of age, leaving babies 6 to 12 months at high risk of getting measles.
"This is the most contagious virus we know," said Dr. Hotez. "If you're a parent with a baby, especially between 6 and 12 months, you need to worry about your baby. in public spaces. Unfortunately, Texas had the largest number of unvaccinated children in any state in the country. "
About 60,000 children are not vaccinated in Texas, not counting the 300,000 children who are home-schooled and have to declare whether they are vaccinated.
"We are clearly squeezing our luck and it is only a matter of time before the big one arrives … the big measles outbreak," said Dr. Hotez.
Earlier this month, health officials said four of the patients were children under two years old. The other was a woman from Harris County, aged about 30 years old.
The one-year-old girl from Montgomery County is linked to one of Harris County's patients. We do not know which patient or how they are connected.
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At least three of the children had received the first dose of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella), but were not old enough to receive the second dose.
Measles is very contagious and if a person is infected, 9 out of 10 people around that person will also be infected if they are not vaccinated yet. About 1 in 4 people who contract measles will be hospitalized.
"It takes 2-3 weeks for the entire incubation period, so if we start seeing more cases, then I think we have real concerns." said Dr. Philip Keizer, infectious disease specialist at the Galveston County Local Health Authority.
According to him, the Galveston County toddler who has contracted measles has received the first dose of the vaccine, but is too young to receive the second dose, recommended from 4 years.
Dr. Keizer said everyone should be vaccinated against this highly contagious, airborne disease.
"In the course of someone's life, the efficiency rate is 97% .The failure rate is 3%, so the chances are good." said Dr. Keizer.
Measles is caused by a virus that spreads to others through coughing and sneezing.
"However, this can be easily avoided. Parents and educators have the power to protect their children and themselves from this disease by being vaccinated, "said Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Executive Director of HCPH.
Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Measles is a virus suspended in the air that lives in the mucus of the nose and throat of an infected person. It can be transmitted to others by coughing and sneezing. The symptoms of measles are high fever, runny nose, cough, watery eyes and sore throat, followed by rash 3 to 5 days after the onset of symptoms.
The MMR combination vaccine helps prevent measles.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children receive two doses in order to be fully protected:
- The first dose between 12 and 15 months
- The second dose between 4 and 6 years
The best way to protect yourself and your family from measles and other preventable diseases is vaccination. HCPH encourages individuals to contact their health care provider if they have signs and symptoms of measles.
For a list of recommended vaccines, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or talk to your health care provider.
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