Well-written, informative article from the Lubbock public radio station:
More hidden measles cases likely amid slow testing in rural West Texas outbreak
Local health officials are watching the sharp rise in measles cases among rural West Texas communities, with more cases expected to be confirmed over the next few weeks. Still, they are confident in overall protection from the virus after more than 50 years of immunizations.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines were developed in the 1960s and by 2000, many health professionals β including the World Health Organization β considered measles to be eliminated in the United States.
In recent years, there have been concerning spikes in confirmed cases, including the recent outbreak in a spread-out corner of West Texas.
On Feb. 21, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported at least 90 confirmed cases related to this outbreak, including at least 16 hospitalizations.
Health officials confirmed the outbreak started in rural Gaines County in late January. It is about an hour and a half away from Lubbock, where many people from rural West Texas communities go for more extensive medical treatment.
Dr. Ron Cook is the medical authority for the City of Lubbock, where at least one case of measles has been identified. Cook said the case was traced to a local waiting room, where an infected individual had come to Lubbock for medical help.
βThey shared the same waiting room, and this individual had not been vaccinated yet and subsequently came down with the infection,β Cook said. βAnd that's our fear.β
Measles is highly contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to the CDC, measles can be picked up just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even up to 2 hours after that person has left.
But donβt expect calls for masks or booster shots just yet. Cook advised the City of Lubbock during the COVID-19 pandemic and he said this disease is not the same.
βIt's not like the flu,β Cook said. βWe'll let people know when we should do that, but we're not at the numbers yet. And most people, most people, have immunity to this virus.β
Though most people with vaccinations are considered protected, health officials have said those vaccinated between 1968 and 1989 likely only received one dose of the vaccine and suggest people in that window check their status and get a second dose. [THIS INCLUDES A LOT OF US.]
Those who are unsure of their vaccination status can call their primary care providers to request that information. Cook has also encouraged people to call clinics or providers before traveling, particularly to the doctorβs office.
βWhat we don't want people to do if they were exposed, we don't want you going into the waiting room,β Cook said.
cont'd: