Jasmin Espinosa BROWNSVILLE – The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported an outbreak of measles, which is a highly contagious virus, with over 159 cases as of March 4.
Glenn Gray, director of Health Services, said measles is characterized by high fevers, rash and mucus, runny nose and cough.
“The fever can be particularly dangerous in young children because it can lead to febrile seizure disorder,” Gray said.
Seratna Guadarrama, associate professor of Medical Education, stated some of the symptoms caused by the disease, such as, diarrhea, dehydration caused by pneumonia and in very rare cases encephalitis.
Guadarrama talked about the importance of getting the measles vaccination.
“The measles, mumps, [and] rubella vaccine, that is so important to have vaccination,” she said. “There are two doses. The first dose [is] from 12 to 15 months, and the second dose, [is] around 6 to 8 years.”
Gray said certain individuals should not get the measles vaccine such as chronically ill individuals, pregnant women and children under six months.
Alexandra Escobedo, a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Post-Baccalaureate student, said she believes everyone should get the MMR vaccine since we all live together as a community.
“I know that it’s everybody’s choice,” Escobedo said. “But when it comes to things that are treatable or that could potentially evolve because people aren’t getting vaccinated, I would say that they do need to take the initiative and remember that we all live together.”
For more information on measles and how to prevent the spread, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
