Measles case counts continue to rise. Just today the state updated the number of confirmed Texas cases to 124.
We've created a couple of Q&A videos where University Health chief epidemiologist Dr. Jason Bowling answers many questions people have been asking since a person with measles was found to have traveled to a local college campus, the Riverwalk, and several Central Texas locations.
Feel free to use any of the content in these videos for your reporting. Time stamps and specific questions are noted below (be sure and check out that last question on video 2):
Dr. Jason Bowling, University Health chief epidemiologist and UT Health professor
VIDEO 1: Measles and Vaccine Questions
Low vaccine rates have caused a measles outbreak in West Texas that is spreading. Measles vaccines are effective and safe – Dr. Jason Bowling answers your questions about protecting your family from the return of a once-eliminated disease.
00:00 – Why is there a measles outbreak in West Texas?
00:22 – How can you protect yourself from measles, especially if you can't get the vaccine (immune comprised, allergy to the vaccine, etc.)?
00:54 – Is the measles vaccine safe, and what are the risks compared to the risks from infection?
01:28 – How effective is the measles vaccine?
01:53 – How much time is there between measles shots?
02:06 – Can you get measles if you've been vaccinated?
02:26 – I don't have my childhood vaccination record. Should I get a measles booster?
VIDEO 2: How serious is measles?
Measles may sound like a benign childhood illness but that's because we hadn't seen it for years. Low vaccine rates mean a return of the highly contagious disease – Dr. Jason Bowling describes measles, its complications and how it can be much worse for children.
00:00 – Isn't measles just another common childhood disease?
00:30 – Why are we concerned about measles spreading to San Antonio?
00:52 – What are complications of measles?
01:16 – How is measles transmitted and how contagious is it?
01:42 – What is the incubation period for measles?
01:54 – How long does measles last and how long are you contagious?
02:43 – What are 5 symptoms of measles?
03:09 – What should I not do if I have measles?
03:36 – What kills measles virus?
03:52 – What can be mistaken for measles?
04:33 – What helps measles go away?
04:58 – How fatal is measles?
05:18 – Is measles worse for children?
