AUSTIN (KXAN) — A west Texas outbreak of the measles virus has reached over 100 cases, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), with the majority of cases being unvaccinated children.
What is measles?
The virus is a highly contagious infection that causes high fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and rash. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can lead to complications such as ear infections, pneumonia and encephalitis.
By highly contagious, the CDC noted that the virus is spread via droplets that can linger in a room for up to two hours.
At least one child has died and 18 others have been hospitalized during the Texas outbreak.
When to vaccinate?
Texas law currently requires parents to vaccinate their children against measles.
The vaccine for measles, mumps, is two doses. It also protects against mumps and rubella, two other viruses with similar effects to measles.
The first must be administered before a child reaches 16 months old and can be completed around 12 months old. The second must be administered before the child enters kindergarten.
Texas does allow parents some methods to exempt their child for medical or personal reasons, which could be why 64% of the current outbreak’s cases were for adults and children older than four years.
Do adults need a new vaccine?
Adults do not need a new vaccine if they have already received both doses or have ever had measles, mumps or rubella previously.
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