Midland Health is taking steps to safeguard its community as measles cases rise in West Texas. Dr. Rohith Saravanan, Chief Medical Officer for Midland Health, emphasized the importance of patient and community well-being, stating, "Our greatest priority is the well-being of our patients and community." He added that measures are being aligned with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
The hospital has introduced entry screening and an updated triage process in its Emergency Department (ED). Visitors and patients will be asked about symptoms such as fever, rash, cough, runny nose, or red eyes upon arrival. Those showing symptoms will be isolated to prevent further spread, potentially waiting in their vehicles until seen.
Visitor policies are under review to ensure vulnerable patients' safety. Symptomatic or high-risk visitors must adhere to guidelines and wear protective gear.
The hospital highlighted the effectiveness of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as a defense against measles. Vaccines are available at health departments without the need for boosters if fully vaccinated. Symptoms include high fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, and a rash starting on the face or hairline.
Dr. Saravanan advised individuals suspecting exposure to contact healthcare providers before visiting the ED to minimize exposure risks. For those without a provider or needing assistance, 221DOCS (432-221-3627) or 68Nurse (432-686-8773) are available resources.
"Vaccination truly is the key to halting this outbreak," Dr. Saravanan concluded. "We encourage everyone to ensure their immunizations are up to date and to rely on credible health information to make informed choices."
Further resources can be found on CDC's website or through DSHS news alerts.