El Paso urges proaction in light of measles outbreak

The measles outbreak continues to spread across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed more than 100 measles cases in 14 states this year alone.

El Paso health officials are on alert.

“It is a very aggressive disease,” said Fernando Gonzalez, the lead epidemiologist with the El Paso Department of Public Health. “It starts with fever, cough, with runny nose, and then this intense, reddish rash.”

There has not been a case of the highly contagious disease in El Paso since 1994. Gonzalez credits our rate of immunization — which is at 93 percent in children aged 24 months.

“We have a neighboring nation — Mexico — in which they have a high successful program of immunization, so, migration and population movement is well covered on both sides,” said Gonzalez.

The threat of infection is on the minds of El Pasoans shopping at a Walgreens pharmacy in West El Paso.

One shopper told ABC-7, “It’s a great concern for any parent who has young children.”

The Department of Public Health said those who’ve received both doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 99 percent immune. No booster is need and the virus has not mutated.

“In California, more than 90 percent of the cases weren’t immunized,” Gonzalez said. “This is a true example that immunization plays a big role in preventing transmittable diseases.”

“(The city) should definitely stay on top of it and try to control it if they can and let everyone know that there is a possibility of an outbreak at any time,” Christian Rimkus told ABC-7 as he left the Walgreens pharmacy.

Gonzalez agreed, saying, “With this globalization and world wide traveling, of course, we are always at risk.”

Those without insurance or who are underinsured can call 311 to find out how to receive a vaccine.