Harris County officials urge people to vaccinate for measles in wake of Texas outbreak

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County officials announced a preparedness plan Tuesday as concerns grow over the spread of measles.

Judge Lina Hidalgo's office said that includes updates on vaccination locations.

It comes after the commissioner for the state's health department, Dr. Jennifer Shuford, noted during a legislative hearing on Monday that the measles case count has increased to at least 158 in the west Texas outbreak.

On Tuesday, the health department confirmed 159 cases have been reported in Texas, and 22 people have been hospitalized.

Last week, officials said a school-aged child in the outbreak area died, marking the first measles death in the U.S. in a decade. The child was not vaccinated.

So far, no positive tests have been reported in the Houston area.

"For every one person infected with measles, if they were going to go into a room full of people that were unvaccinated, you could expect 12 - 15 of those people to become infected. It's extremely contagious," Dr. David Persse, City of Houston Chief Medical Officer, said.

Persse said the virus can hang in the air for a couple of hours.

Symptoms include:

• Fever 101F (38.3C)

• Generalized maculopapular rash lasting 3 days

• Rash usually begins at the hairline/scalp and progresses down the body

• Cough, runny nose, or conjunctivitis or Koplik spots (bluish-white specks appearing appearing inside the mouth, usually opposite the molars)

Texas Health and Human Services posts measles outbreak updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.

WATCH: Harris County officials provide preparedness plan

Harris County officials are encouraging people to vaccinate as part of their preparedness plan as concerns grow over the spread of measles.

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