Tag Archives: el paso measles

Texas Medicine Today, a Texas Medical Association newsletter, attributed El Paso’s high vaccination rate for the City’s low measles outbreak in 2019.

“This article and the information presented is so much more than kudos,” said Public Health Director Robert Resendes. “This is really a wakeup call for those who choose not to be vaccinated or not to vaccinate their children and the danger they put our community in.”

El Paso vaccination rates are among the highest in the country. A study found that if El Paso’s vaccination rate was just 10 percent lower, it would have resulted in over 5,400 cases of measles rather than the six cases El Paso had.

At .6 percent, El Paso County’s overall vaccination exemption rate for school-aged children is half that of the 1.2 percent for the state of Texas.

“I am very pleased that the story covered the cooperation we have throughout El Paso. When you have local physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, businesses, and family members working toward the same goal of protecting the community’s health, it definitely has a positive effect,” said the Department of Public Health’s health authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza.

The article states, in part:

So how is El Paso bucking this trend? The answer isn’t simple, says Gilbert Handal, MD, a professor of pediatric infectious diseases at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in El Paso. Some aspects of it, like physician coordination and advocacy in the schools and community, could be replicated in other parts of the state. Other pieces are just traditional parts of El Paso’s culture, such as an old-fashioned trust of physicians among most patients.

To read the entire article, click here.

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that a male in his mid-20’s tested positive for measles, making it the sixth measles case in El Paso.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of being vaccinated against measles. It is our best defense and very well proven for over 50 years now all across the world”, says DPH Director, Robert Resendes.

Anyone who visited the following places on the dates and times noted below should review his/her immunization status to confirm that they are properly immunized against measles.

Date                                       Location                                                                    Time

Sunday, 7/21/19                 Walmart at Cielo Vista (7101 Gateway Blvd W)       11:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Tuesday, 7/23/19               Veteran Affairs Main Clinic (5001 N. Piedras)          9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, 7/23/19               Walmart at Cielo Vista (7101 Gateway Blvd W)       3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Anyone who: 1) visited any of the above locations on the dates and times referenced AND 2) develops a fever and rash, should call their health care provider immediately.

Measles is spread through coughing and sneezing and the disease usually begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. These symptoms are followed by a rash that spreads from the head down to the hands and feet.

This highly contagious respiratory disease can live in an airspace where an infected person was for up to two hours

Additionally, those who are concerned that they may have been exposed or who would like more information may call 2-1-1.

All three Department of Public Health Immunization Clinics are operating Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will remain open during the lunch hour. Clinic locations are: Central El Paso (5115 El Paso Drive), Henderson (721 South Mesa Street), and Ysleta (110 Candelaria Road).

Parents and legal guardians are required to bring a photo ID and child’s immunization record.

The administration fee for vaccines is $10.00 per child for one vaccine and $15.00 per child for those eligible for the Texas Vaccines for Children Program (TVFC) or Adult Safety Net. The DPH immunization clinics accept all Medicaid plans, CHIP (El Paso First only), credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard).

Appointments can be made by calling 915-212-6555 or for additional information, visit the health department’s website.

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a fifth case of measles in a woman in her early 30’s.

The patient did not report any visits to public places where possible exposure to others may have occurred, so at this time there is no list of dates, times or locations of which we can provide.

The news comes as the Department continues its efforts to vaccinate as many children as possible before the start of the new school year.

“These recent cases of the measles make it all the more important for children to be vaccinated before they return to class,” said Robert Resendes, Public Health Director. “We have been lucky in that this situation began before school started, but what we don’t want is for parents to find out at registration that their child won’t be able to start classes with the rest of their peers because they are missing vaccines.”

In fact, the DPH is advising local superintendents to be especially vigilant about reviewing vaccine records for students across the area. The state of Texas allows schools to “provisionally” enroll students who have received at least one dose of the measles vaccine.

For the remainder of 2019, public health officials are recommending that provisional enrollment for partially vaccinated students be suspended and that the schools require all students to have completed the two dose series for measles upon school entry.

In order to make vaccinations more convenient, all three Department of Public Health Immunization Clinics will begin operating Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will remain open during the lunch hour.

Clinic locations are: Central El Paso (5115 El Paso Drive), Henderson (721 South Mesa Street), Ysleta (110 Candelaria Road). Appointments can be made by calling 915-212-6555 or online at www.EPHealth.com.

Parents and legal guardians are required to bring a photo ID and the child’s immunization record. The administration fee for vaccines is $10.00 per child for one vaccine and $15.00 per child for two or more vaccines.

The Immunization Program accepts all Medicaid plans, CHIP (El Paso First only), credit and debit cards (Visa and MasterCard).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 90 percent of people who are not vaccinated, who are exposed to the virus will become infected.

Measles is spread through coughing and sneezing and the disease usually begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. These symptoms are followed by a rash that spreads from the head down to the hands and feet. Measles can live in an airspace where an infected person was, for up to two hours.

Those who are concerned that they are showing signs and symptoms of a measles infection should visit their medical care provider, or those who would like more information may call 2-1-1 to receive further instructions.

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that a male toddler has tested positive for measles (rubeola). This is the fourth confirmed case of the virus in El Paso in less than two weeks.

“We need our community to focus on making sure that they are up-to-date with their measles or MMR vaccine,” said Robert Resendes, Public Health Director. “When we vaccinate ourselves and our children we are not only protecting ourselves and our family, but also reducing the chances of the disease spreading to others in our community.”

Health officials say this particular virus is very contagious. In fact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 90 percent of people who are not vaccinated, who are exposed to the virus will become infected.

Measles is spread through coughing and sneezing and the disease usually begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. These symptoms are followed by a rash that spreads from the head down to the hands and feet.

Measles can live in an airspace where an infected person was, for up to two hours.

Those who are concerned that they are showing signs and symptoms of a measles infection should visit their medical care provider, or those who would like more information may call 2-1-1 to receive further instructions.

It had been more than 25 years since El Paso saw its last case of measles before these four recent cases.

To learn more about measles and the MMR vaccine please visit www.EPHealth.com.

On Monday afternoon, officials with the City of El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that a second male toddler has tested positive for measles (rubeola).

The announcement comes nearly a week after the first two cases in more than 25 years were reported by the DPH in El Paso.

“Because El Paso’s immunization rates are so high, we don’t expect to see a huge number of cases emerge,” said Robert Resendes, Public Health Director. “We know that the effectiveness of the vaccine, especially after the recommended two doses, is about 97 percent.”

Unfortunately the virus is also very contagious. Approximately 90 percent of people who are not vaccinated, who are exposed to the virus will become infected by this respiratory disease. It spreads through coughing and sneezing and the disease usually begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. These symptoms are followed by a rash that spreads from the head down to the hands and feet. Measles can live in an airspace where an infected person was, for up to two hours.

It is not believed this second toddler exposed the general public to the disease, however, those who are concerned that they are showing signs and symptoms should visit their medical care provider, or those who would like more information may call 2-1-1 to receive further instructions.

By the time a child enters school in El Paso, 95.4% of the student population have been fully immunized with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.

To learn more about measles and the MMR vaccine please visit  the El Paso Health webpage.

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that a woman in her late 40’s and a male toddler have tested positive for measles (rubeola).

“Measles is so contagious that someone who has the disease should expect that 90 percent of the people around them, who are not immune, could become infected,” said Bruce Parsons, Assistant Public Health Director.

“There is a 9 day window of time, four days before and four days after the onset of the rash where the disease can be spread. This is why we need residents who may have unknowingly come into contact with these individuals to be especially vigilant in identifying any symptoms they may have.”

This highly-contagious respiratory disease is caused by a virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing but it is preventable via vaccination. The disease usually begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes.

These symptoms are followed by a rash that spreads from the head down to the hands and feet. Measles can live in an airspace where an infected person was, for up to two hours.

Anyone who visited the following places on the dates noted below should review his/her immunization status to confirm that they are properly immunized against measles.

Date                           Location                                                     Time

Thu, 6/27/19                Neighborhood Walmart (10301 Alameda)         1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fri, 6/28/19                  Subway at Ft. Bliss (1333 Cassidy)                   5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sat, 6/29/19                 Bassett Place Mall-Target, Kohl’s, Jewelry Box   6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Sun, 6/30/19                Ft. Bliss PX, Exchange, Food Court                  noon – 4:30 p.m.

Mon, 7/1/19                 Walmart at Americas (9441 Alameda)              4:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.

Anyone who:

1) visited any of the above locations on the dates and times referenced  AND

2) develops a fever and rash, should call their health care provider immediately for evaluation and testing, as advised by your provider.

Additionally, those who are concerned that they may have been exposed or who would like more information may call 2-1-1 to receive further instructions.

An investigation to determine if there is a link between the two cases is still being conducted.

Health department officials added, “It should be noted that in El Paso, by the time children enter school in El Paso, 95.4% of the student population have been fully immunized with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Two doses of this vaccine are 97% effective against measles.”

The DPH is working with State and Fort Bliss officials to ensure a swift and complete response to stop/lessen additional spread of the disease.

The most recent case of measles in El Paso was confirmed back in 1993 with an outbreak recorded in 1990.

To learn more about measles and the MMR vaccine, visit the CDC website