Contact Tracing Underway After Fort Bend County Measles Case
The Houston Health Department is diligently tracking individuals who may have been exposed to a woman from Fort Bend County who recently contracted measles. This incident, linked to international travel, raises concerns, especially given the ongoing health crisis in parts of West Texas.
Dr. David Persse, the City of Houston’s chief medical officer, stated, ‘Our team is working diligently to notify and provide guidance to those who may have been in contact with the individual. Measles is highly contagious, but it is also preventable with vaccination.’
Health officials from Fort Bend County confirmed that the infected woman, aged between 50 and 60, is not connected to the larger measles outbreak reported in West Texas, which has resulted in over 400 cases and a tragic death this year.
Reportedly, this marks the first measles case in Fort Bend County in more than two decades. Houston has seen multiple cases this year, with health officials emphasizing that these instances also resulted from international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reiterated the urgency of measles vaccination, noting that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine offers a 97% effectiveness rate when administered in two doses. Persse declared, ‘Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and our community. We strongly encourage anyone who is not fully vaccinated to get their MMR shots as soon as possible.’
With vaccination rates among kindergartners in Fort Bend County at 95.7% and 98.6% for seventh graders, the community appears to have a solid baseline in preventive health measures. However, experts like Catherine Troisi of UTHealth stress the importance of continuing education about vaccination as the nation witnesses a resurgence of measles cases.
Troisi pointed out the alarming contagiousness of measles, estimating that each person infected can spread the virus to 15 to 18 others who are unimmune. Moreover, she noted the historical significance of vaccinations developed in the late 20th century, which have played a pivotal role in controlling measles outbreaks.
‘The vaccine skepticism that suiveted around the false claims linking vaccines to autism has placed the nation’s health at risk, especially post-pandemic,’ Troisi remarked.
In a call for community engagement, health officials remind those experiencing symptoms such as a cough, fever, or rash to stay home and consult with a healthcare provider.
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