By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

Health officials with the City of El Paso confirmed that a woman in her late 40’s and a male toddler have tested positive for measles. the health department says anyone who visited the following places on the dates noted below should review his/her immunization status to confirm that they are properly immunized against measles:

 

Image/CDC

Anyone who: 1) visited any of the above locations on the dates and times referenced AND 2) develops a fever and rash, should call their health care provider immediately for evaluation and
testing, as advised by your provider. Additionally, those who are concerned that they may have been exposed or who would like more information may call 2-1-1 to receive further instructions.

“Measles is so contagious that someone who has the disease should expect that 90 percent of the people around them, who are not immune, could become infected,” said Bruce Parsons, Assistant
Public Health Director. “There is a 9 day window of time, four days before and four days after the onset of the rash where the disease can be spread. This is why we need residents who may have
unknowingly come into contact with these individuals to be especially vigilant in identifying any symptoms they may have.”

An investigation to determine if there is a link between the two cases is still being conducted. It should be noted that in El Paso, by the time children enter school in El Paso, 95.4% of the student
population have been fully immunized with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Two doses of this vaccine are 97% effective against measles. The most recent case of measles in El
Paso was confirmed back in 1993 with an outbreak recorded in 1990.

The health department is working with State and Fort Bliss officials to ensure a swift and complete response to stop/lessen additional spread of the disease.

Texas state health officials report with the addition of these two cases from El Paso, the state has now seen 17 measles cases in 2019.

Nationally, 1,109 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 28 states through July 3. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1992 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.