Saile Aranda
Assistant Editor
Within three months, 309 measles cases were confirmed in Texas, surpassing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention count of measles cases in 2024 across the United States.
Measles is a viral disease that is transmitted in respiratory droplets. When an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, droplets of the virus are sprayed in the air and become infectious.
The Texas Department of State Health Services issued a health alert in February after a person infected with measles from Gaines County traveled to San Marcos and San Antonio. The infected person made stops at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas State University and highly-trafficked spots such as the River Walk and Buc-ee’s.
According to the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, no cases have been confirmed in Bexar County.
Professor of Infectious Diseases at UT Health San Antonio and Hospital Epidemiologist at University Health, Dr. Jason Bowling said the concentration of cases in Texas has remained in West Texas — the outbreak area — more specifically in Gaines County and surrounding counties.
“We know the [Measles, Mump and Rubella] vaccine is very effective,” said Bowling. “Hopefully not a lot of people chose to go to Gaines County for their spring break plans if they weren’t fully vaccinated.”
Measles and college students
Most college students from 18 years and older have the least amount of cases.
“The good news is that college students in that age range tend to be very healthy,” said Bowling. “At that age you usually haven’t developed a lot of comorbidities that you start to see in older people.”
Bowling said most people 18 and older are typically already vaccinated with both doses of the MMR vaccine. This helps prevent the spread of viruses like measles in crowded areas such as college campuses.
The DSHS has an Adult Safety Net program that assists adults without health insurance in getting vaccinated. According to the DSHS website, vaccines cost up to $25 but uninsured people can still get the vaccine if they are unable to pay.
Prevention and detection
Measles is most commonly identified with a rash. Flat red spots that start at the face and spread down to the body. Before the rash appears, the infected person can experience symptoms similar to a common cold, the flu and COVID-19.
Measles initial symptoms include:
- High fever
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Itchy and watery eyes
According to Bowling, the rash typically appears 3-4 days after the initial symptoms and last a week before the red spots lighten up.
The MMR vaccine is 97% effective and unlike the COVID-19 or the flu vaccines, boosters are not needed after the second dose.
The DSHS advises people who have been exposed to measles or experience symptoms to isolate themselves and call their health care provider first before showing up to a testing site to avoid exposing others to the virus.
Vaccine records can be accessed through ImmTrac2, Texas Immunization Registry. Log in or create an account at Register for ImmTrac2 Access.
The DSHS updates measles cases every Tuesday and Friday. Find more information on measles cases across the United States at the CDC’s website.
