Six young children at a day care center in Lubbock, Texas have tested positive for measles, adding to the already out-of-control outbreak that has spread to multiple states. The total number of confirmed cases in Texas has reached 481, with 56 people hospitalized. The outbreak at the Tiny Tots U Learning Academy began when a sick little girl tested positive, leading to more cases among children aged 5 months to 3 years who were not fully vaccinated.
The CDC has not provided clear guidance on handling measles in large day care centers like Tiny Tots U. The agency has sent vaccines to Texas but has not held any news briefings about the outbreak, despite it being the largest in six years. Some health departments have been forced to cancel vaccine clinics due to funding cuts.
Other states with measles outbreaks include Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Ohio. Lubbock’s public health director predicts more outbreaks in day care centers in the area. To prevent further spread, child care facilities are monitoring children for symptoms, isolating classrooms, and encouraging families to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine for lifetime protection against measles, with the first dose usually given after a child’s first birthday but can be administered as early as 6 months. Unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus are highly likely to become infected.
The situation at the day care center in Lubbock highlights the urgent need for vaccination and public health measures to contain the measles outbreak and prevent further spread among vulnerable populations.
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