The Houston Health Department announced that two adults who live together have contracted measles, they contracted the disease through international travel and their vaccination history is unknown. According to the World Health Organization, measles is a “highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death.” The disease is most common in children but can affect anyone. The disease affects the upper respiratory tract and eventually spreads throughout the whole body, symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and rash all over the body.
This is the first reported measles case in Houston, since 2018. The disease can stay in the air for up to two hours after the infected person has left the area, it is one of the world’s most contagious diseases. Measles is considered deadly for children under 5 and those with weakened immune systems. The vaccine is required for students who go to public schools in the United States, unless they have a religious exemption. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that all children receive the MMR vaccine.
The measles vaccine was created in 1963, before the vaccine measle epidemics happened every two to three years resulting in the death of over 2 million people. In 2023, almost 108,000 people died from measles, majority being children under the age of 5. According to the World Health Organization, “measles is still common, particularly in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The overwhelming majority of measles deaths occur in countries with low per capita incomes or weak health infrastructures that struggle to reach all children with immunization… Children with malnutrition or other causes of a weak immune system are at highest risk of death from measles.”
Dr. David Persse serves as the Chief Medical Officer for the City of Houston, in a statement regarding the measles case he said, “Measles is a serious but entirely preventable disease… Vaccination is the best tool we have to protect individuals and the broader community from this highly contagious illness. Ensuring your immunizations are up to date is critical, especially in light of these recent cases.”
If you think you’ve been around someone with measles or feel sick with symptoms like a fever, rash, or a cough, it’s important to stay home and contact a medical professional immediately. Measles can spread easily, so avoiding contact with others helps keep everyone safe. Make sure you’re up to date on your vaccines, because they’re the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick. Staying healthy and safe starts with taking care of yourself and looking out for your community.
