State health officials have issued a health alert for Montgomery County after four new cases of measles were confirmed in the area just north of Houston last week.
The new cases bring the total number of confirmed measles infections in Texas this year to 188. While the state is experiencing a sharp decline compared to the more than 800 cases reported last year, health officials noted that the local outbreak was unexpected.
Health officials are advising residents in the Montgomery County area to monitor themselves and their families for symptoms of the highly contagious virus.
According to the department, early symptoms of measles include:
- A high fever
- A cough
- A runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
Typically, a characteristic red rash develops a few days after the initial symptoms appear. Health officials urge anyone experiencing these symptoms to contact their healthcare provider before visiting a clinic to prevent further spread of the virus.
