As Texas grapples with a rising measles outbreak, Houston Mayor John Whitmire reassures residents that the city is prepared to respond should cases emerge locally. With the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo set to draw large crowds, health experts caution about potential risks.
Texas is experiencing a growing measles outbreak, and Houston officials are keeping a close eye on it. Mayor John Whitmire is confident that the city is ready to act if cases appear in Houston.
The outbreak started in Gaines County and has now spread to nine counties, sickening 124 people and killing one, a school-aged child who had not been vaccinated. Houston hasn't had any cases yet, but people are getting more worried as the city gets ready to welcome thousands of people for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Whitmire told KHOU 11, "But, you know, I don't have first-hand medical knowledge, so that's why I depend on our departments." He added that he gets regular updates from health officials.
Health professionals say that big groups could make it easier for measles to spread, especially among people who haven't been vaccinated enough.
When asked if the disease could spread at the rodeo, Dr. Pedro Piedra of Baylor College of Medicine said, "As an infectious disease doctor, the answer is definitely yes."
Dr. Piedra stressed that the fact that fewer people in Texas are getting vaccinated has made it easier for the virus to spread.
"Our vaccine coverage has decreased to a level that makes it more vulnerable at the population level," he said.
Authorities in charge of health in Houston are still on high alert, and emergency reaction teams are ready to go if cases are reported. Doctors are also telling people to check to see if they have been vaccinated and get the MMR vaccine if they need to.
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