State health officials in Texas have reported three confirmed cases of measles in individuals who are not residents of the state but spent time in Reeves and Ward counties. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has released details on possible exposure sites and times to alert the community.
According to DSHS, potential public exposure occurred at several locations: Lowe’s Market in Monahans on Wednesday, January 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Ward Memorial Hospital Emergency Department in Monahans on Friday, January 16 from 8 p.m. to midnight; Aurivida Coffee Co. in Monahans on Saturday, January 17 from 9 a.m. to noon; and Walmart in Pecos on Sunday, January 18 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Measles is described by health officials as a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through coughing, sneezing or close proximity to an infected person. The virus can remain active in the air for up to two hours after an infected individual has left the area.
Symptoms typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, followed by a rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downward within two to five days after initial symptoms appear. Individuals with measles are considered infectious from four days before until four days after the rash develops.
Health authorities advise anyone who believes they may have been exposed or is experiencing symptoms to isolate immediately and contact their healthcare provider by phone before visiting any medical facility. This measure helps minimize further exposure risks while arranging for testing. Symptoms generally develop seven to twenty-one days after exposure.
Complications from measles can be serious and include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, brain inflammation (encephalitis), or even death in rare cases. Infants and children under five years old, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk for severe outcomes.
Vaccination remains the primary method of prevention against measles. Two doses of the MMR vaccine offer approximately 97 percent protection along with long-lasting immunity. The vaccine is available through healthcare providers or pharmacies for those over age fourteen. DSHS recommends administering the first dose at twelve to fifteen months old and a second dose between ages four and six.
For additional information about measles prevention and symptoms, residents are encouraged to consult their healthcare provider or visit official resources provided by DSHS.
