HOUSTON – As the number of measles cases in Texas climbs, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo joined Mayor Whitmire and health officials to discuss the disease’s impact on the Greater Houston area and efforts to curb its spread.
The news conference started at 3:30 p.m. as cases in Texas continue to climb past 100 — the state’s largest increase in nearly 30 years. Just last week, an unvaccinated child in Texas was the first person to die from the virus in a decade, and more than 100 people have confirmed infections.
The strong and contagious virus can be deadly, and understanding how to protect yourself and your loved ones is paramount to avoid an infection.
On Saturday, KPRC 2′s Corley Peel learned that the tests for two possible cases in Houston both came back negative.
Whitmire confirmed that there are no reported cases with the city of Houston.
RELATED: Texas measles cases rise to 146 in an outbreak that led to a child’s death
The virus has largely spread through rural, oil rig-dotted West Texas, with cases concentrated in a “close-knit, undervaccinated” Mennonite community, state health department spokesperson Lara Anton has said.
Hidalgo encouraged all residents to get vaccinated and make sure their children are also up to date to avoid contracting the highly contagious virus.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
