GILMER, Texas (KLTV) - Upshur County Judge Todd Tefteller says that numerous cases of measles have been confirmed in Upshur County....in one location.
All of the 19 cases are linked to two people who visited the unnamed location from out of state, according to Tefteller, and no known cases originated from any Upshur County resident.
All affected patients are isolated from the public and are in quarantine at this same location, and are in daily contact with DSHS and are following all the appropriate guidelines, he added.
Tefteller said that none of the cases are critical or have required hospitalization. All cases are adults over the age of 18.
There are no reports of measles in any Upshur County public schools, public buildings, county operations, or medical facilities, the judge confirmed.
Tefteller ended by sharing the following information regarding prevention of measles:
The best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. This is primarily administered as the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, and two doses prevent more than 97% of measles infections. Those at highest risk include:
• Young children who have not yet received both doses of the MMR vaccine
• Individuals who have not received booster shots
• Those with compromised immune systems remain at higher risk and should be vigilant about potential exposure.
Early symptoms include:
• High fever (may spike to over 104°F)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• White spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
• Followed by a characteristic rash 3-5 days after symptoms begin
Seek emergency care if the patient has a hard time breathing or breathing faster than normal, signs of severe dehydration, confusion, decreased alertness, or severe weakness, young children having a blue mouth or crying without making tears, or unusually low energy of loss of appetite.
Please contact the medical facility prior to arrival to inform them that you suspect measles so they can treat them separately.