EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 3-year-old unvaccinated boy is the first confirmed case of measles in the City of El Paso, the City said late Tuesday night, April 8.
This follows a separate case reported Tuesday afternoon by William Beaumont Army Medical Center, which was the first case in the region.
The case confirmed by the Department of Public Health is the second in the region and the first under the City’s jurisdiction.
Both confirmed cases involve children who were not vaccinated against measles, the City said.
El Paso Children’s Hospital said City’s confirmed case has been in isolation since being admitted to the hospital.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of measles vaccination,” said DPH Director Vinny Taneja. “Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can lead to severe complications, especially for those who are unvaccinated. We strongly urge parents to ensure their children are protected.”
Health officials have launched contact tracing efforts to identify anyone who may have been exposed and are working to mitigate the potential spread of the virus, the City said.
State health officials have also been notified.
“We’ve been preparing for this moment — and cautioning the public that it was only a matter of time. Now, measles is circulating in our region,” City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza said. “Diseases like measles do not respect borders. We must remain vigilant and proactive to protect our community — especially our most vulnerable residents.”
ABOUT MEASLES
Measles spreads through coughing and sneezing and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. The disease typically begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a rash that spreads from the head down to the hands and feet.
An infected person is contagious four days before and four days after the onset of the rash, with the rash onset date considered day 0.
RISK FACTORS
Individuals at higher risk for contracting measles include:
· Those who are unvaccinated.
·Those who have recently traveled internationally or to areas in the U.S. with ongoing measles outbreaks.
·Immunocompromised individuals, including pregnant women, those with HIV, and those undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatments
The City has been working closely with area hospitals, schools, clinics, and community partners to ensure they are prepared to respond to potential exposures, provide timely information, and help prevent further spread of the disease.
MEASLES VACCINATION CLINICS
To make vaccinations more accessible, DPH offers walk-in immunization services from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the following locations:
- Lower Valley Community Clinic: 9341 Alameda Ave.
- Henderson Community Clinic: 721 S. Mesa St.
- Northeast Community Clinic: 9566 Railroad Dr.
- Westside Community Clinic: 7380 Remcon Cir.
Appointments can also be scheduled by calling (915) 212-6555. The clinics are closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch each day.
For additional information on measles symptoms, vaccination, and potential exposure, the City of El Paso has activated a measles hotline at (915) 212-HELP (4357). Residents can also call 2-1-1 or visit EPHealth.com under the Immunizations tab.
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