A worker at Canyon Intermediate School has been found to have contracted measles.
This marks the initial instance of such a case in the Texas panhandle since the outbreak started in late January.
As stated by Canyon ISD, the affected employee last visited the campus on March 26.
Measles is an extremely infectious respiratory virus that can result in various health issues. life-threatening illness, especially in unvaccinated individuals.
By Friday, there had been 481 verified measles cases in Texas , 54 in New Mexico, and 10 in Oklahoma.
The most effective safeguard against measles is the MMR vaccine. The virus spreads via direct contact with contagious droplets or through the air, remaining infectious for as long as two hours after an infected individual has departed the space.
As per the Amarillo Public Health Department, symptoms manifest between 7 to 21 days following exposure and consist of:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Small white dots within the mouth (known as Koplik spots) emerge 2-3 days following the onset of symptoms.
- A flat, red eruption that appears initially on the face and hairline within 3-5 days from when symptoms start, then spreads downwards to cover the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet.
Individuals infected with measles can spread the virus from four days prior to the appearance of the rash until four days after it shows up.
Individuals who believe they might have contracted measles or could have been exposed to it should quarantine themselves and contact their healthcare provider prior to arriving for testing.
It's crucial to inform the healthcare provider about the possibility of measles in the patient so they can provide guidance on how to visit their office safely for an accurate diagnosis without putting others at risk of exposure.
RELATED: The first instance of measles has been reported in Potter and Randall counties.
The public health department of Amarillo suggests administering an early MMR vaccine to infants between 6 and 11 months old because of the current outbreak. If you suspect any cases, contact Amarillo Public Health at (806) 378-6321 or pay them a visit. amarilloalerts.com