For Immediate Release
FORT CAVAZOS, Texas – An official health alert update 1 was issued 24 February that a measle exposure occurred in Central and South-Central Texas. This exposure is associated with the ongoing outbreak in the South Plains region of Texas.
The Army Public Health Nursing team of the Fort Cavazos Department of Public Health and Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center wants to bring awareness to the current updates in measles cases and provide ways to protect our Central Texas Community.
The Texas Department of State and Health Services reports 2 146 cases (as of February 28, 2025). Of the 146, 79 of those cases were not vaccinated, 62 had an unknown status, 5 were vaccinated with at least one dose.
One fatality was reported in a school aged child that was not vaccinated and lived in the outbreak area of Gaines County Texas. The Bell County Public Health District (BCPH) reports as of February 26, 2025 there are no confirmed cases of measles virus in Bell County.3
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can live in the air and surfaces for up to 2 hours. The virus is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, especially for babies and young children. Severe complications are pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and death.
Signs and symptoms that a person has the virus are cough, runny nose, fever, watery eyes and begin 1 to 2 weeks after someone is exposed. Two to 3 days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik’s spots) may appear inside the mouth. A rash that starts at the hairline/scalp and progresses down the body will usually begin 3 to 5 days after the other symptoms.
According to the CDC, measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 9 out of 10 people of all ages around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected with a vaccine. 4
The most effective way to prevent measles is to be immunized with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. Two doses will prevent more than 97% of measles infection and each dose lowers the risk of infection and severity of illness if infected. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is safe, effective, and recommended for: vaccine is safe, effective, and recommended for:
- Children: 2 doses – the first given at 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years old. The second dose can be given as early as 4 weeks after the first dose, regardless of age. Talk with your child’s pediatrician for more information about recommended immunizations.
- Adults: Anyone who has NOT received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine or has not previously had measles.
With measles cases on the rise, this is a perfect time to ensure you, and your family are protected against this contagious disease.
If you think you have measles or have been exposed to the virus, do not go to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care first. Instead, isolate yourself from others and call your healthcare provider before going to be tested so that they can properly prepare for your arrival. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.3
To reduce the spread of the virus please share this information with your health care team when making any appointments.
If you would like to ensure you and your loved ones are up to date on your vaccines, or schedule a vaccine appointment, please contact your health care provider by phone, the patient portal at patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil , or by calling patient appointment service at 254-288-8888.
The Fort Cavazos Public Health Department and Carl R. Darnall Medical Center is committed to educating and empowering our community to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy. Only together can we make this possible.
1 https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-exposures-central-south-central-texas
2 https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-feb-28-2025
3 https://bellcountyhealth.org/news_detail_T2_R23.php
4 https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html
For more information about measles visit the CDC website at: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html
For the CDC’s recommendations on proper measles vaccination dosage by age, visit https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/vaccine-considerations/index.html
