The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has confirmed a total of 18 measles cases. They say the community will be provided with daily updates on confirmed measles cases.
Beginning April 8, it started with two measles cases reported and has gone up 16 cases.
“That is scary,” freshman Fabiola Crespo said. “Having gone that much up in less than a month is concerning.”
The latest five cases involved three unvaccinated adults and two adults with an unknown vaccination status.
“Vaccines are a hot issue,” nurse Amanda Means said. “But ultimately, they are for what is best for the community as a whole.”
Based on KFOX14, although around 98 percent of residents in El Paso are vaccinated, unvaccinated individuals remain at a high risk of infection.
“I am glad I got all my vaccinations already,” freshman Lizette Patino said. “It could’ve been worse if I didn’t.”
Announced by Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended by doctors to prevent being affected by measles, mumps, and rubella.
“In the case of a confirmed case on our campus, any student that is not vaccinated with two doses of MMR will be excluded from campus,” Amanda said. “Excluded students will have to remain off campus for 21 days.”
According to Texas Health and Human Services, measles cases reported in school should immediately be reported.
“The district is currently working with the health department to monitor cases within the district,” Amanda said. “There has not been a change in guidelines at the moment other than to monitor and report.”
The Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) has reported three cases of measles.
“Seeing another school district in El Paso have measles worries me,” Fabiola said. “It could eventually pass on to our district.”
The city advises if you think you have measles, you should stay home and avoid contact with others to prevent the spreading of it. Unless you have severe symptoms, you should go to the emergency room.
“It is for the best that students with measles stay home,” Lizette said. “It could help prevent other students from getting it.”
