The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported the 8th measles case in Texas during 2019.

These measles cases were confirmed in the following Texas counties:

Bell - Temple

Denton - NW Dallas

Harris (4) - Houston

Galveston - East of Houston

Montgomery - North of Houston

This announcement is a significant, negative change from 2018 when only 9 measles cases were confirmed in Texas for the entire year.

Texas is not alone in reporting measles cases during 2019.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 101 individual cases of measles in 10 states from January 1 to February 7, 2019.

The DSHS Public Health Region for the Houston area is urging health care providers to consider measles when diagnosing patients because an early identification, along with immunization, is key to preventing measles from spreading.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Measles is so contagious that if someone has it, 90 percent of the people around that person who are not immune will become infected, said the DSHS in a website post.

The CDC recommends children get a dose of measles vaccine at 12-15 months of age and again at 4-6 years. The measles vaccine is very effective, about 97 percent after two doses.

Unfortunately, children too young to be vaccinated or who have only had 1 dose of measles vaccine are more likely to get infected.

Measles is often brought into the United States by unvaccinated people who become infected in other countries, says the CDC.

As proof that measles is a worldwide health risk, the World Health Organization reported 82,596 people in 47 countries with measles during 2018.

International travelers can request a vaccine appointment with a pharmacy at Vax-Before-Travel.

In the USA, there are 2 approved measles vaccines, MMR-II and ProQuad. The CDC Vaccine Price List provides private sector vaccine prices for general information.

And, measles vaccine discounts can be found here.

Vaccines, similar to medications, can cause side effects, says the CDC. Significant vaccine side effects should be reported to the CDC.