Health & Fitness
Public Health Officials Confirm Two Measles Cases In El Paso
Officials urge protection from virus through vaccination.
From the City of El Paso: The City of El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that a woman in her late 40’s and a male toddler have tested positive for measles (rubeola). This highly contagious respiratory disease is caused by a virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing but it is preventable via vaccination. The disease usually begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. These symptoms are followed by a rash that spreads from the head down to the hands and feet. Measles can live in an airspace where an infected person was, for up to two hours.
“Measles is so contagious that someone who has the disease should expect that 90 percent of the people around them, who are not immune, could become infected,” said Bruce Parsons, Assistant Public Health Director. “There is a 9 day window of time, four days before and four days after the onset of the rash where the disease can be spread. This is why we need residents who may have unknowingly come into contact with these individuals to be especially vigilant in identifying any symptoms they may have.”
Anyone who visited the following places on the dates noted below should review his/her immunization status to confirm that they are properly immunized against measles.
Find out what's happening in El Pasofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thu, 6/27/19: Neighborhood Walmart (10301 Alameda) 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Fri, 6/28/19: Subway at Ft. Bliss (1333 Cassidy) 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Sat, 6/29/19: Bassett Place Mall-Target, Kohl’s, Jewelry Box 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Sun, 6/30/19: Ft. Bliss PX, Exchange, Food Court noon - 4:30 p.m.
- Mon, 7/1/19: Walmart at Americas (9441 Alameda) 4:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.