4th measles case reported in Harris County

Measles/mumps/rubella vaccine

HOUSTON (FOX 26) — Harris County Public Health has confirmed four cases of the measles for the year to date.

Two of the cases were boys 4 years old or young in northwest Harris County in February. Another case was a male between the ages of 15 and 24 in southeast Harris County in February. A woman between the ages of 25 and 34 years old had a confirmed case of the measles in northwest Harris County in February.

Harris County Public Health describes the measles as "a highly contagious, airborne virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person." Cases of measles can spread to others through coughing and sneezing.

One out of four people who get measles will be hospitalized while one out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling due to infection (encephalitis), which may lead to brain damage. One or two out of 1,000 people with measles will die, even with the best care.