Texas Measles Outbreak Rises To Nearly 500 Cases As Virus Spreads Among Day Care Children

At least six children at a daycare centre in Texas’ Lubbock have tested positive for measles - as authorities fear a potential outbreak even as the number of cases has already spiralled out of control since January this year. More than a dozen other states are already dealing with cases of this highly contagious virus. This week, the Texas Department of State Health Services said the toll has risen to 481 confirmed cases, a 14 per cent jump over last week.

At least 56 people have been hospitalized in the area since the spread of the disease. Reports said the Tiny Tots U Learning Academy - with around 250 infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children - has been facing an outbreak since last week when a young girl with fever and vomiting tested positive for measles. She was later hospitalized for pneumonia and had trouble breathing.



Related News | Measles Surge In US: Nearly 500 Cases Confirmed, Texas Worst AffectedTwo Louisiana Infants Die of Whooping Cough As Vaccinations DropSo far, those who have tested positive at the daycare are between the ages of five months and three years old, and reports said none were fully vaccinated against measles. According to local health officials, who are in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the situation, no clear guidance or instruction has been given on how to handle the disease in a large day care with vulnerable kids. The US has been facing the largest measles outbreak in six years, but the CDC has so far remained silent on the public health threat - providing just weekly updates on its website and sending an alert to doctors.

The agency sent 2,000 doses of the MMR vaccine to Texas health officials at their request, but no briefing has been held regarding measles since 2019, when two large outbreaks in New York threatened to reverse the country's status of having eliminated the virus. Daycare teachers are taking steps to minimize the riskRelated News | Bird Flu Outbreak In Andhra Pradesh: 6 Districts Affected — Are You At Risk?Teachers at the Tiny Tots U Learning Academy said they are trying to reduce the risk of further spread by watching kids closely for symptoms and isolating certain classrooms. They are also urging other childcare facilities to encourage their families to get the MMR vaccine.

Families who choose not to vaccinate their children have been asked to keep them at home for at least three weeks. According to the CDC, two doses are almost always enough to provide lifetime protection against measles. Unvaccinated people who are exposed to the virus are almost certain to become infected.

What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus. It causes widespread rash and flu-like symptoms; however, it is not just a rash. Measles can make you severely ill and cause life-threatening complications like brain inflammation and pneumonia.

It also makes you more likely to get sick with other infections. Before it was part of routine childhood immunisations, measles caused millions of deaths around the world. Signs and symptoms of measles A few signs and symptoms of measles include: High fever Barky cough Red or bloodshot eyes Runny nose Tiredness Red spots with white centers in your mouth Rashes Digestive issues like diarrhoea and stomach pain Sore throat Muscle pain Headache Measles symptoms don’t appear all at once.

A fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes may appear first. Koplik’s spots might appear two to three days later and fade when the rash begins. The rash appears three to five days after your initial symptoms start.

A high fever may develop with the rash..