Measles Outbreak: Cook Children’s Medical Center Prepares for Possible Spread to North Texas
If measles spreads to North Texas, Cook Children’s Medical Center says it will be ready.
The Fort Worth hospital has six negative-pressure rooms to care for children with the virus. Rooms have space for family members and specialized air ventilation systems that pull air inward, preventing recirculation.
Dr. Suzanne Whitworth, division chief of pediatric infectious diseases, hopes the rooms will not be needed.
“If everyone gets vaccinated, we won’t have this crisis,” Whitworth said. “This is preventable.”
D-FW Public Health Alerts
Measles Outbreak in West Texas
So far, 223 measles cases have been reported in the West Texas outbreak, although officials have said the number is probably much higher. One unvaccinated child in Texas has died, and one unvaccinated adult in New Mexico, where the virus spread, has died.
No cases of measles have been reported in Dallas or Fort Worth. Local health officials in Rockwall County — just east of Dallas — reported a single case, but they said it does not appear to be connected to the West Texas outbreak.
How Measles Spreads
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world and spreads mostly among unvaccinated people. Symptoms include a cough, fever, red eyes and the telltale skin rash.
It is so contagious that if one person infected with measles walks into a room with 20 people, 18 of those people will likely catch the virus, Whitworth said. Measles can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for two hours after an infected person leaves an exam room.
Vaccination: The Best Prevention
The only effective and proven way to prevent the virus’ spread is vaccination, Whitworth said, adding that Vitamin A is not an alternative for the vaccine.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic who has falsely stated in the past that vaccines cause autism, touted Vitamin A in a Fox News column. Whitworth and other physicians have pointed out that it does not prevent the virus.
Research does show that Vitamin A — found in food and supplements such as cod liver oil — can help children with deficiencies after they are already infected with measles.
The Importance of Vaccination
In the Fox News column, Kennedy said the decision to vaccinate is personal but vaccines are crucial to avoiding the potentially deadly disease.
“Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons,” Kennedy wrote.
The two-dose MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the illness. The first dose is typically administered to babies between 12 and 15 months old, with the second dose administered when the child is 4 to 6 years old.
Whitworth said the decades-old vaccine is proven safe.
“The most important thing to know is this is all preventable,” Whitworth said. “The most important thing you can do is get yourself and your families vaccinated.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, measles is a highly contagious virus that can be prevented through vaccination. Cook Children’s Medical Center is prepared to handle any potential cases in North Texas, but the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is through vaccination. By getting vaccinated, individuals can not only protect themselves but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is measles and how is it spread?
A: Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads mostly among unvaccinated people. It can be spread through the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an exam room.
Q: What are the symptoms of measles?
A: Symptoms of measles include a cough, fever, red eyes, and a skin rash.
Q: How can I prevent getting measles?
A: The best way to prevent getting measles is through vaccination. The two-dose MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the illness.
Q: Is Vitamin A a replacement for the measles vaccine?
A: No, Vitamin A is not a replacement for the measles vaccine. While it can help children with deficiencies after they are already infected with measles, it does not prevent the virus.
