04/17/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has notified me of 19 confirmed cases of measles isolated at one location in Upshur County.
All cases are linked to two people who visited the location from out of state, and no known cases emanate from any Upshur County resident.
All affected persons 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.
None of the cases are critical, none have required hospitalization, and all cases are persons over the age of 17.
There are no reports of measles in any of our Upshur County public schools, public buildings, county operations or medical facilities. I have been assured by State officials that any risk of further spread is minimal and that they are monitoring the situation daily.
The following information from the DSHS website can guide the public in monitoring and addressing measles-related symptoms.
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.
