The measles outbreak in the South Plains of Texas is continuing to grow, with the number of cases doubled in less than a week.
At least 48 symptom attacks have been found in the past three weeks, according to the Texas Department of Health Services. More than a dozen people were hospitalized.
Fox News Digital previously reported that the Texas Department of Health Services (DSHS) warned that the outbreak mainly involved school-age children in Gaines County.
Health officials are investigating a measles outbreak in Texas. (iStock)
Family said
However, other cases were found in Lynn, Terry and Yoakum counties.
“As the high degree of contagion of the disease, other cases may occur in Gaines County and surrounding communities,” health officials wrote in a statement.
DSHS said that in each case, patients were unvaccinated or vaccinated status was not yet known.
In March, several people living in Chicago Immigration Shelter tested positive for measles. （AP/Erin Hooley）
The outbreak is under investigation.
Health agencies reported that after the “elimination” of the disease in 2000, the rashness of cases occurred for more than two decades.
According to DSH, measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be life-threatening.
Officials say that when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, it can be transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or airborne. After an infected person leaves the area, the virus can remain contagious in the air for up to two hours.
A bottle of meal, mumps and ruby virus vaccine made by Merck was held on April 26, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Pictures by George Frey/Getty)
Symptoms usually appear within a week or two, including high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes.
A few days later, flat red spots appeared on the face and then spread the neck to the rest of the body. Four days after the rash appears, people are the most contagious.
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According to DSH, those who think they may have measles, or may have been exposed, should be isolated and call a doctor before arriving at the test.
Officials say the best way to prevent illness is to receive two doses of measles-Girl-Robin vaccine.
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Christina Shaw of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.
