Texas faces measles outbreak amid vaccination decline

LUCAS, Texas — We have been in this position in the past. 

“We’re repeating history,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kahn, Children’s Health Chief of Infectious Diseases and professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

“Way back when, it was the grandparents who recognized what measles was,” said Dr. Kahn. “Many physicians and clinicians have never seen a case of measles.”

Dr. Kahn said health experts have spent more than 60 years eliminating the measles. 

“We have all the tools we need. We have all the experience we need. We have all the knowledge we need,” said Dr. Kahn.

With the virus returning, health officials said they are facing some challenges. 

“Just a means of implementing these strategies and getting people to understand that immunization is the way to go,” said Dr. Kahn.

It is a widespread push as Collin County Health Care Services confirmed a measles case involving a student at Lovejoy ISD’s Willow Springs Middle School. The school is located in Lucas, Texas.

“If you’ve not been immunized, there’s actually a window of opportunity, within three days of exposure, to get your child immunized, to protect them,” said Dr. Kahn.

He told WFAA that even if you try cleaning after an exposure, respiratory droplets can stay in the air for about two hours. 

“By the time we recognize a case, you know, all the potential exposures have already happened,” said Dr. Kahn.

That is what is happening now with Texas having more than 600 cases. 

“Back in 2004, there were 37 cases of measles in the country total,” said Dr. Kahn.

Collin County Health Care said the case in Lucas is not related to the exposure in three Plano stores two weeks ago. They said in a statement, “We are working closely with the school and public health officials to notify individuals who may have been exposed and to implement appropriate precautions. Measles is a highly contagious disease, and we encourage families to ensure their vaccinations are current.”

The county’s health department also told WFAA, “Collin County Health Care Services emphasizes that the most effective way to prevent measles is through vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.”

Dr. Kahn said the outbreak comes as there has been a drop in vaccinations. 

“This is an unforced error,” said Dr. Kahn. “If you want to keep safe, get immunized.”

He said vaccination is the sure way to keep measles a virus of the past.