Growing concern among SA parents comes after a visitor from West Texas tested positive for the illness after touring several local spots.
SAN ANTONIO — With the number of cases rising parents in Texas counties where the measles has not been detected are raising concerns.
The best way to protect your children, according to experts, is to make sure they have received their vaccinations as scheduled.
“Overall, it’s important that we have herd immunity,” said Dr. Jason Bowling, infectious disease specialist with University Health and professor of infectious diseases with UT Health San Antonio. “So we do want to get closer to 95% or higher is ideal. Bexar County overall is pretty good in regard to vaccine uptake. We certainly want to make sure that we don’t slide.”
But to be extra cautious, stay away from anyone who may have been exposed or infected with the disease.
“Avoidance of people who have been diagnosed with measles over the past three weeks or at least until four days after the rash and then three weeks for people who have been exposed to others with confirmed measles,” said Dr. Garrett Hunt, chief of pediatric infectious disease with CHRISTUS Children’s.
When it comes to the MMR vaccine, the CDC says one dose, typically given between 12 and 15 months of age is 93% effective at preventing measles.
The second dose, given between ages four and six, raises the effectiveness to 97%. Getting that second shot could be done earlier than age four.
“You can be given as early as 28 days if you’re four weeks after the first dose. And that’s what’s recommended in adults, so you can accelerate it,” said Bowling.
But what about protection for children younger than 12 months? Can they get the vaccine earlier?
“In areas where there is an outbreak, the health department may recommend that children six months of age but less than 12 months of age receive the MMR vaccine, which will be protective but it will not be counted as a part of their routine vaccine vaccination series,” said Hunt.
There are now seven counties in West Texas reporting cases of measles. Gaines County still has the most, reporting 57 cases. Terry County with 20, Dawson with 6, Yoakum with 4 and Ector, Lubbock and Lynn Counties all reporting 1 case each.
If your child has symptoms like a fever with red eyes and congestion, call your family doctor.
“Particularly if there’s concern about contact with someone who was diagnosed with measles,” said Hunt.
We heard from four San Antonio school districts and for now they don’t seem too concerned but they are on alert. Many parents are wondering if any of the responding districts are issuing any guidance when it comes to the measles outbreak, even though we have no cases here. The answer is mixed.
Northside ISD says they are not issuing guidance as of yet. San Antonio ISD says they are recommending students with a fever to stay home and will distribute notices if a diagnosed case is identified on campus. The North East ISD said nurses in the district are being informed about how they should respond should measles be identified.
“This information is being reviewed with them because while this is something common to all nursing education, many nurses have never actually seen measles because it was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000,” NEISD told KENS 5.
They also reached out to the health department to find out what their recommendations and requirements would be for any unvaccinated students if there were a positive individual in the school. They say they’re making sure they have adequate supplies of PPE for any nurses who request it.
East Central ISD is following similar procedures. That district says if it is determined that a child does have measles, they will report the case to Metro Health.