Texas explains the end of the outbreak of measles after the last reported case

The measles outbreak in Texas has officially come to an end, according to a press release from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on Monday. The outbreak, which was concentrated in West Texas, saw no new cases reported for over 42 days in provinces that had previously shown evidence of continuous transmission.

Since the outbreak began at the end of January, a total of 762 measles cases were confirmed in Texas. The first case was reported in Gaines County, where a total of 414 infections were documented. The virus spread across the US, with a total of 1,356 cases confirmed in the country as of August 5, according to the CDC.

More than two-thirds of the cases in Texas were found in school-going children, with 99 people hospitalized and two children tragically losing their lives. Despite the outbreak coming to an end, health officials warn that the threat of measles still persists, with ongoing outbreaks in North America and other parts of the world likely to lead to additional cases in Texas this year.

Healthcare providers are urged to remain vigilant and test for measles in patients presenting with symptoms consistent with the virus. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause life-threatening complications for individuals who are not immune.

Measles can lead to hospitalization in one in five children during an outbreak, with one in 20 developing pneumonia. In rare cases, measles can result in brain swelling, death, and pregnancy complications. The most effective way to prevent measles is through vaccination, specifically the MMR vaccine, which requires two doses for full protection.

To protect against infection, experts recommend being aware of your surroundings, wearing a mask in areas where cases have been reported, practicing good hand hygiene, and keeping surfaces clean to prevent the spread of the virus. Stay informed and stay safe.