Texas is among 21 states reporting cases of the measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
So far, 107 people — six in Texas — have been confirmed to have contracted the virus. Officials say the number will likely outpace the 118 measles cases reported in 2017. There were only 86 in 2016.
The other states reporting measles include Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington.
Measles is an airborne virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms appear 10-14 days after exposure and usually last 7-10 days. They include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes followed by a rash that typically starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Camplications can be serious.
Anyone with symptoms who thinks they may have been exposed to the virus should call a health provider before making an office visit to prevent exposure to others.
The majority of people who get the measles have not been vaccinated, according to the CDC.