Measles is coming back in Texas, and Tarrant County isn’t immune. The viral infection, known for its contagiousness and potential to cause serious health issues, especially in the unvaccinated, has just arrived in North Central Texas. The first two confirmed cases were reported in Tarrant County last Friday. According to the Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) announcement, the confirmed cases involved a child and an adult who shared the same household and were not vaccinated.
This outbreak appears to have West Texas as its focal point, but it isn’t staying put – measles is airborne and can linger on surfaces for hours, paving the way for the virus to spread beyond its origins. Reports from TCPH showed instances of public exposure in several Tarrant County locations. Among these reported exposures, the Great Wolf Lodge and Grapevine Mills Mall were cited in an April 4 alert, though the risk period for these particular locations has since elapsed.
In a far from ideal timing, a person infected with measles visited Texas Live! and attended a Texas Rangers home game at Globe Life Field on April 19, potentially exposing others. TCPH advises that the last day to watch for symptoms from this exposure batch is May 20. Additionally, two contagious individuals went to Mansfield Methodist Emergency Department on April 29, with May 20 marking the end date for monitoring symptoms for anyone who might’ve crossed paths with them, as outlined in a Tarrant County Public Health alert…