Houston Health Department Confirms Third Measles Case, Urges Vaccinations

Confirmed Measles Case in Houston

• 🚨 Houston Health Department has confirmed the city's third measles case.
• ⚠️ This new case is not connected to the West Texas outbreak or the two earlier cases reported in January.
• ✈️ The unvaccinated infant was exposed to measles during a trip outside of the United States.
• 🏥 The infant was hospitalized but is now recovering at home.

Vaccination Rates and Public Health

• 📉 The Houston Health Department is concerned about vaccination rates, noting that even in a widely vaccinated city, some areas have rates below the 95% herd immunity threshold.
• 🏫 This concern extends to specific school districts and neighborhoods within Houston.
• 🗣️ Efforts are underway to disseminate information about the availability and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine.
• ✅ Doctors emphasize that vaccination is the most effective way to ensure protection against measles.

Measles Cases in Texas

• 📊 Across Texas, only two measles cases have been reported in individuals who received at least two doses of the MMR vaccine.
• 🧒 The majority of other cases have been in unvaccinated children or those whose vaccination status is unknown.