6th Case Of Measles Confirmed In El Paso – Here’s What You Need To Know

There has been another measles case confirmed in El Paso, and that brings the total number so far to six residents who have contracted the measles. The CDC defines a measles outbreak as three or more cases within a community, so there a cause for concern. The last time El Paso saw a case of the measles was over twenty years ago, and even though City officials say we have a 90 - 95% vaccination rate, it is a good idea to make sure your kids have both MMR vaccinations to keep them safe from contracting the measles. The MMR vaccination is the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine and your child can get the first one between 12 - 15 months of age and the second one can be given as soon as 28 days after the first dose.

City officials announced these locations after the first two cases of measles were confirmed as places, dates, and time you might have been exposed:

Thursday, 6/27/19 Neighborhood Walmart (10301 Alameda) 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 6/28/19 Subway at Ft. Bliss (1333 Cassidy) 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, 6/29/19 Bassett Place Mall-Target, Kohl’s, Jewelry Box 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, 6/30/19 Ft. Bliss PX, Exchange, Food Court Noon - 4:30 p.m.
Monday, 7/1/19 Walmart at Americas (9441 Alameda) 4:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.

If you want to get more information about the measles or locations where you might have been exposed to the illness, you can call the City of El Paso Health Department at 2-1-1.

Are you worried that you might not be covered as an adult because it's been so long since you've been vaccinated? According to the CDC:

1. If you were born before 1957, you are considered protected from the measles.
2. If you were born after 1957, you need at least one dose of measles vaccine or it is confirmed that you had past measles infection or are immune to measles. Certain adults may need 2 doses.
3. If you got the killed measles vaccine in the 1960s, you should talk to your doctor about getting revaccinated with the current, live measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
These answers might scare you, but if you're really worried, make sure you go to your doctor and discuss whether you need to get a booster.