Experts break down the likelihood of the outbreak spreading to areas in South-Central Texas, including Bexar County.
SAN ANTONIO — The measles outbreak in West Texas has now grown to 48 cases across four counties. We look into how serious this outbreak is and what we can expect here in San Antonio and around Bexar County.
Measles is a childhood respiratory virus that causes a rash, it is one of the most highly contagious of all viral infections which means it spreads easily, mainly among the unvaccinated.
Duane Hospenthal, medical director for infection control with Baptist Health System told KENS 5, “Being around the wrong person at the wrong time, almost guarantees that you get the disease.”
At it’s worst, measles can be neurologically devastating in children and adults, with one out of every two people ending up in the hospital. But the most common symptoms are a runny nose, a fever, body aches and a rash.
“Certainly some of them will get neurological complications that can lead to lifelong impairment and really death,” said Hospenthal.
That’s why being vaccinated is so important. The CDC says one dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles. Two doses raises the effectiveness to 97%.
However, breakthrough infections among those vaccinated can occur, especially in areas where high levels of the virus is circulating. Those account for about 5% of cases.
“The goal in public health is to vaccinate kids to at least 95% of the population to create some herd immunity so it doesn’t spread from town to town, school to school,” said Hospenthal.
The Texas Department of State Health Services tracks the number of cases, the epicenter being Gaines County with 42 cases. Terry County reports three cases. Yoakum County with two and Lynn County with one. 13 people have been hospitalized and most of the cases are in unvaccinated children.
Right now, Metro Health reports no cases in Bexar County but Dr. Hospenthal says all it takes is one person to be in close proximity to another with measles known or unknown to spread the outbreak here.