Important Information About Measles 2/19/2025
Dear Parent/Guardian, I am writing because of the ongoing measles in the South Plains area. Measles is a highly contagious illness that spreads easily, especially among people who haven’t been vaccinated against it. While most people recover, measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling. In fact, one in five children who get measles will need to go the hospital. The good news is that measles is preventable with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This vaccine has been safely used for over 50 years and is the reason measles cases are now rare in the United States. This area of Texas has not seen a measles case in over 20 years, until now. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and unvaccinated children in your family. Anyone who is sick, especially with possible symptoms of measles like a rash and fever together, should stay home from work or school and avoid being around other people as much as possible. People with measles symptoms (rash, fever over 101.4°F, cough, runny nose, red eyes, sore throat) should be tested for measles. If you think you or your child may have measles, call your healthcare provider before going to the office so they can minimize the risk to other patients. If not already vaccinated, I strongly encourage you to vaccinate your child and yourself against measles as soon as possible. This protects your family and helps others in our community, including babies and those with weakened immune systems who cannot receive the vaccine themselves. If your child is unvaccinated and is exposed to measles, whether at school or in the community, they should stay home from school for 21 days after their last exposure. This recommendation is because measles can spread so easily. No quarantine period is necessary for vaccinated individuals who are exposed; they can return to school and other activities. If you have concerns about the MMR vaccine, I encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider or visit trustworthy sources such as the American Academy of Pediatrics: aap.org. Please take this time to protect your child and yourself. If you have additional questions or need help finding a vaccination site, contact your health care provider, your local health department, or DSHS Region 9/10 at 888-847-6892. Thank you for your consideration in this important matter. Your efforts help keep our children and community safe. For current measles updates, visit the News section at dshs.texas.gov. Sincerely, Emilie Y. Prot, DO, MPH, FACPM Acting Regional Medical Director, Public Health Region 9/10