Measles outbreaks in the Southern Plains of Texas continue to grow, with the number of cases double within a week.
At least 48 cases have been identified with onset of symptoms within the past three weeks, according to the Texas Department of Health. More than 12 people have been hospitalized.
Fox News Digital previously reported that the Texas Department of State Health Department (DSHS) had warned that school-age children, mostly from Gaines County, were involved.
Health officials are investigating the outbreak of measles in Texas. (istock)
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However, additional cases were detected in Lynn, Terry and Yoakum counties.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of the disease, there is a high possibility that additional cases will occur in Gaines County and surrounding communities,” health officials wrote in a statement.
According to the DSHS, in all cases, patients were not vaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown.
In March, several people living in Chicago's immigration shelters tested positive for measles. (AP/Erin Hooley)
The outbreak is under investigation.
Case rashes occur for more than 20 years after health agencies reported that the disease was “excluded” in 2000.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease and can be life-threatening according to DSHS.
Officials say that if an infected person breathes or breathes a cough or sneeze, they can make direct contact with the infectious droplet or spread into the air. The virus can leave an infected person in the air for up to two hours after they leave the area.
One-dose bottles of the meals, mumps and Levela virus vaccines made by Merck were listed on April 26, 2019 in the Salt Lake County Health Department in Salt Lake City, Utah. (George Frey/Getty Images)
Symptoms usually appear within a week or two, including high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
A few days later, flat red spots appeared on my face, spreading my neck over the rest of my body. People are most contagious 4 days before and 4 days after the rash appears.
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According to DSHS, people who have measles, or who believe they may have been exposed to measles, or who may have been exposed to measles, may be isolated and addressed to a doctor before they arrive for a test. You need to call.
The best way to prevent illness is to receive the measles-paralytic-Rubella vaccine twice, according to officials.
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Christina Shaw of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
