Unvaccinated Infant Diagnosed with Measles in Houston After International Travel

Measles Case in Houston Infant

• 👶 A confirmed Houston case of measles has been reported in an infant within the past 24 hours.
• ✈️ The infant contracted the measles during a trip outside the United States and was unvaccinated.
• ⚠️ This case is not linked to the West Texas outbreak or previous Houston cases from January.

Measles Outbreak and Vaccination Rates

• 📊 In West Texas, out of 257 confirmed measles cases, only two were in fully vaccinated individuals; the rest were in unvaccinated children or those with unknown vaccination status.
• 🎯 The city of Houston's chief medical officer, Dr. David Purs, states that a vaccination rate of 95% or higher is needed in communities to achieve herd immunity.

Severity and Complications of Measles

• ⚡ Dr. Purs warns that measles is a very serious illness for the unvaccinated, spreading easily and causing high fevers and severe discomfort.
• ⚠️ Complications can occur in about one in a thousand cases, including death.
• 🧠 Approximately one in a thousand measles cases result in permanent neurological complications, most commonly encephalitis.

Resources for Vaccination

• 💬 For information on where to get vaccinated or resources to protect your family, text the word "measles" to 713-526-1111.
• 🔗 You will receive text-back links to helpful stories on khou.com.