EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has confirmed three additional measles cases on Friday, April 11.
The new cases involve a 1-year-old boy, a woman in her 30s and a man in his 40s, according to the City.
The 1-year-old boy and the woman were unvaccinated, the City said. The vaccination status of the man is currently unknown.
The Ysleta Independent School District, meanwhile, sent a statement saying the City’s Department of Public Health identified one case of measles at Bel Air High School.
The district said they will reach out to any Bel Air High School parent whose child was found to be in contact with the positive measles case.
About 34,000 students are enrolled at the district, and only 0.6 percent of students have not had the measles vaccine, YISD said.
“Ysleta ISD is following all procedures as prescribed by district and city health policies. To ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community, Ysleta ISD will begin regular fogging procedures at all campuses with an anti-virus solution to help mitigate the potential for further measles exposure,” read the statement.
The district did not say if the positive case involved a student, teacher or staff member.
The City has activated a public health awareness campaign and is collaborating with local hospitals, schools, clinics and community organizations to “share timely information and ensure coordinated prevention efforts,” according to a news release that was sent out.
“We urge residents to ensure they and their children are up to date with their MMR
vaccinations,” City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza said. “Vaccination protects
not just your family — it also reduces the risk of outbreaks and protects our most vulnerable
neighbors.”
In addition, 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.
According to the City’s Department of Public Health, state health officials have been notified.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing and remains in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.
Symptoms typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, which are followed after with a rash that spreads from the head down to the rest of the body, the City said.
Infected individuals are contagious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash. The day the rash appears is considered Day Zero.
The Department of Public Health said these are the individuals at risk of contracting measles:
- Individuals who are unvaccinated.
- Recent travelers to areas with ongoing measles outbreaks.
- Immunocompromised individuals, including pregnant women, people with HIV, and
those undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatment.
There are free walk-in immunization services available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) on Monday through Friday at the following Department of Public Health clinics:
- 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
To schedule an appointment, you can call (915) 212-6555
For additional information on measles symptoms, vaccinations and potential exposure, you can contact the City of El Paso’s measles hotline at (915) 212-HELP (4357).
Residents can also call 211 or visit El Paso Health’s vaccination and immunization tab.
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