A middle schooler in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has tested positive for measles, the first known case in the urban area, a health official from Collin County confirmed.
The young person is located in Lucas, about 30 miles north of Dallas. The health official said the student attends Willow Springs Middle School, in the Lovejoy Independent School District. The district reported 96% of seventh graders were vaccinated for measles in the 2023-2024 school year.
Texas, the epicenter of the US measles outbreak, has seen the most patients in rural Gaines County in the western part of the state. As of Tuesday, Texas has 624 confirmed total cases, with 386 in Gaines. Two children in the state have died from the disease.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 800 cases nationwide in 24 states.
The vaccination status of the child and whether the infection is connected to the West Texas cases is unknown, the health official said. Collin County Health Care Services is working with the school to alert people of potential exposures.
Measles is a highly contagious disease. The best way to prevent an infection is the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses, according to the CDC.
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