If you were at the location and were exposed or believe you have contracted measles, contact your healthcare provider immediately and monitor for symptoms.
MANSFIELD, Texas — Tarrant County health officials announced its first confirmed cases of measles from an exposure at Methodist Mansfield ER.
According to a press release, the exposure at Methodist Mansfield ER happened from from 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29 to 3 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30. The cases are an unvaccinated adult and a child who live in the same household, according to the Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH). It has not yet been determined where they contracted measles, TCPH said.
TCPH said if you were at the location and were exposed or believe you have contracted measles, contact your healthcare provider immediately and monitor for symptoms.
TCPH said it is actively investigating additional possible exposure sites and contacts during the individuals’ infectious periods and will share more information as it becomes available.
A spokesperson for the Methodist Health System sent WFAA the following statement on Saturday:
“The health and safety of our patients, visitors, and employees is our top priority. Methodist Mansfield Medical Center is working closely with Tarrant County Public Health to identify anyone who might be affected.”
What is measles?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, measles is a highly contagious virus that can be serious. In its definition, the CDC notes, “Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk,” adding that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles.
What are the measles symptoms?
Measles symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after infection, the CDC said.
- High fever (may spike to more than 104°)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes or conjunctivitis
- Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin
A rash typically appears three to five days after the first symptoms, according to the CDC. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline. They then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
- Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
- The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
- When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit.
How does measles spread?
Measles spreads through infectious droplets and the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. It’s important to note that the measles virus can remain infectious in the air up to two hours after an infected person leaves.
Symptoms of measles don’t show up until a week, sometimes two weeks, after exposure. The challenge is that those infected are contagious about four days before any outward signs of the virus appear.
What if you’ve been exposed to measles?
The Texas Department of State Health Services provides guidance for those who believe they have been exposed to measles.
- Stay home from work, school and other group settings until after the fourth day of the rash onset
- Isolate, especially if you are unvaccinated against measles
- Call your doctor before you show up to get tested, so they can prepare
- Unvaccinated kids shall be excluded from schools and childcare settings for at least 21 days from exposure to a measles case, according to the Texas Administrative Code
Get more information on how long kids will be out of school and when they can return to Texas online here.
What are the risks of measles?
Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis, according to the CDC.
“That’s the age group where most hospitalizations and complications have been described. Again, this will be mostly on those less than 5 years of age who have not been vaccinated. So historically, because measles was a disease that we rarely see, most adults are already immune from prior vaccination because of the fact that there was no circulation,” Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Children’s Medical Center Plano, said.
Hospitalization and complications during pregnancy are also documented risks of the virus.
In addition to young children, those most at risk also include pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection.
When should you get vaccinated for measles?
According to the CDC, measles was eradicated in 2000 and has been rarely reported since then. The agency stresses that the best protection is the vaccine.
The CDC recommends all children get two doses of the MMR, or measles-mumps-rubella, vaccine with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. Children can also get the second dose earlier, at least 28 days following the first dose.
For students at post-high school educational institutions without the vaccine, a two-dose MMR vaccine is recommended, separated by at least 28 days.
For adults who do not have the vaccine, at least one dose of MMR vaccine is recommended.
Full schedule and information here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/index.html
Whitworth suggests families with babies who are too young to receive the vaccine take extra precautions.
“Make sure the parents; vaccines are up to date, make sure the siblings’ vaccines are up to date. If grandparents are keeping those kids, make sure the grandparents’ vaccines are up to date,” she said. “Avoid any contact with people who have cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash. Avoid all ill contacts.”