Two children and one woman confirmed that they had measles in Harris County, northwest of Houston

There are now three other confirmed cases of measles in the state of Texas.

KTRK reports that two boys under the age of two and a woman aged 25 to 35 living in northwestern Harris County are infected with the virus, according to the Harris County Public Health Department.

The city of Houston last reported a confirmed case of measles in Harris County in 2018.

There are currently six confirmed cases in Texas since the beginning of the year, which occur while other parts of the country are dealing with a measles epidemic.

Dr. Peter Hotez, of Baylor College of Medicine, is one of the leading advocates of the need for parents to vaccinate their children. He says it's not surprising that the measles outbreak has spread to Texas.

Even though there is no report in central Texas, Hotez says the region could be next because it's a pocket of the anti-vaccination movement.

"There could easily be one in Austin because we are now at the peak of the measles season," Hotez said.

Austin, Plano and Fort Worth were considered "hot spots" for measles because of the high concentration of anti-vaccination people.

Texas law allows parents to not vaccinate their children for non-medical reasons. During the 2017-2018 school year, more than 56,000 children fell into this category.

Of the 49 people with measles in the state of Washington – where most cases were recorded – 41 were not vaccinated.

Hotez says children who are too young for the measles vaccine are particularly vulnerable to this epidemic.

"You have to be careful not to bring your baby now into public spaces," Hotez said.

In Texas, at least three of the children with measles received the first dose of the vaccine, but were too young for the second dose.

Jennifer Clary is a parent concerned about this epidemic that is affecting Texas.

Her daughter is too young for the measles vaccine and she now says that she is scared.

"It's scary .I had heard of cases happening in the northwest, and it's scary to think that it could spread here," Clary said. "I want to respect all the beliefs of all my friends, but the collective immunity is one thing.We are constantly in touch with other children and babies, and it is scary to think that it could to have children with whom not vaccinated. "

Health officials encourage everyone to protect themselves from the virus by getting vaccinated.