Measles Cases Reported in Texas and Throughout Europe

2018 is starting off with measles alerts in Texas and across Europe.

In Texas, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported a measles outbreak south of Dallas, in Ellis County. Currently, there are 6 confirmed cases of measles, all in unvaccinated individuals.

DSHS and NBC News first notified the public on January 19, 2018, of possible measles exposures after a contagious person attended the ShowBiz Cinemas in Waxahachie on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Anyone who went to the theater on that day should continue to monitor themselves for measles symptoms through Jan. 30, 2018.

“Measles outbreak in Ellis County hits too close to home for many Texans. The most common symptoms of this highly contagious viral infection include red, blotchy skin, fever, cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes. These symptoms generally appear 10-14 days after exposure," said Natasha Gildersleeve, PharmD MTM Clinical Pharmacist at Brookshire Grocery Company.

"Measles can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, and brain damage. With the exception of OTC fever reducers, there is no treatment for measles."

"But, the measles vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the disease. The MMR vaccine is readily available at most pharmacies,” said Gildersleeve.

During 2017, only one case of measles was reported in Texas. Prior to the measles vaccine introduction, annual incidence peaked at 85,862 in 1958 in Texas.

According to DSHS, infected persons should be excluded from school/work and other group settings until after the fourth day of rash onset.

During an outbreak, susceptible persons and those without documented immunization or previous measles infection should be isolated from those who have measles to prevent further propagation of the disease.

Additionally, children with suspected or confirmed measles should be kept out of school or childcare until 4 days after the onset of rash. Rules for the exclusion of sick children from school and childcare are outlined in the Texas Administrative Code, specifically Rule 97.7 for schools and Rule 746.3603 for childcare.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its 2018 Level 1 Travel Alerts for several countries, including Ukraine, Indonesia, and Serbia.

As far as measles-vaccination coverage percentage, Ukraine is rated as the worst country in Europe. The Ukraine Health Ministry reported that the measles vaccination coverage was below 50 percent.

In the first two weeks of 2018, the Ukraine Health Ministry has already reported 1,285 adults and children measles cases. During 2017, Ukraine reported 4,782 cases of measles.

"Yesterday it became known about yet another death from a child who has not been vaccinated. This is the eighth death since the start of the outbreak, and this is the tragedy of our society," said v.o. Minister of Health Dr. Ulana Suprun.

Measles virus is a paramyxovirus from the genus Morbillivirus.

Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected with the measles virus.

The virus lives in the mucus in the nose and throat of the infected person. When that person sneezes or coughs, droplets spray into the air and can infect people around him, says the CDC.

In the United States, most measles cases result from international travel. The disease is brought into the United States by people who get infected in other countries.

In the USA, two approved mumps vaccines, MMR-II and ProQuad, both contain the protection for mumps, as well as protection against measles and rubella.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides the private sector MMR vaccine prices for general information.

Most pediatricians and pharmacies offer the MMR vaccine, and vaccine discounts can be found here.

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects, says the CDC. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.