Texas Megachurch Hit by Measles Outbreak

A measles outbreak has sickened 21 members of a Texas megachurch according to local health officials in the area.

The church, which is located 20 miles north of Fort Worth, has been running vaccination clinics snice the outbreak began at the beginning of this month, according to officials.

The Associated Press notes that 11 of the 16 infected with measles had not been vaccinated against the disease but the others have had at least one vaccination.

Measles is typically a childhood infection caused by a virus. Though quite common, it can easily be prevented with a vaccine. Common signs and symptoms surrounding the problem include cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever and a red, blotchy skin rash.

However, when seen in small children, measles, also known as rubeola, can be dangerous and even fatal. While death rates for the health issue have fallen among children worldwide, the disease still kills several hundred thousand a year, most under the age of 5, according to previous statistics.

Dr. Paul Offit, the chief of the division of infectious diseases and the director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia discussed the importance of getting a vaccination, via Health Day, adding that "there are only two ways you can develop specific immunity [to measles], either be infected by the natural virus or be immunized." However, he believes that "A choice not to get a vaccine is not a risk-free choice. It's a choice to take a different and more serious risk," discussing some of the church members concerns regarding measles vaccinations and the risk of autism. 

Various news reports have noted that the outbreak allegedly began when a visitor to the church who traveled to Indonesia brought the infection back and spread it to many unvaccinated church members. Many authorities issued warnings regarding the outbreak in mid-August.

The CDC recommends that children get a measles/mumps/rubella vaccine at 12 months and again at 4 to 6 years of age.