Cook Children's Addresses Rising Measles Concerns

It has been three decades since Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth last saw a measles case. In 1989 and 1990, a measles outbreak began in Houston and spread to Fort Worth.

 Julee Morrow, M.D., a pediatrician at Cook Children’s Harris Parkway, is one of the few current doctors at Cook Children’s who treated patients during that time.

“A majority of the kids that I took care of had to get admitted to the hospital,” Dr. Morrow recalls. “We needed a way to keep them hydrated. We needed a way to keep their oxygen levels up.”

More than 30 years later, Dr. Morrow did not expect to see another outbreak, especially with the availability of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Cook Children’s has tested patients for the measles; there have been no confirmed cases at its  Fort Worth and Prosper medical centers.

“We are in such a good place from a standpoint of the science and the technology we have now, it can be prevented, ” Dr. Morrow said.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000.

“We were the only country that didn't have a travel advisory for measles, because our rates were so low, because we had such good vaccination rates,” said Alice Phillips, M.D., Director of Ambulatory Quality and Safety.

The Texas Health and Human Services reported the first measles death on Feb. 26, A school-aged child who was not vaccinated died. The child had been hospitalized in Lubbock and tested positive for measles.

“I feel sad because measles is so easily prevented,” Dr. Morrow explained. “One dose of measles vaccine gives 93%. Two doses give people 97 to 99% immunity.”

As of Feb. 28, the state reported 146 measles cases, mostly in children. Rockwall County reported its first measles case on Feb. 25. Cook Children’s Medical Centers in Fort Worth and Prosper are prepared to treat patients.

Cook Children’s Health Care System is prepared

To prevent potential spread, Cook Children’s Medical Centers, primary care, and urgent care offices ask families to call ahead and inform staff if they believe their child may have measles.

“We will likely be donning all of our personal protective equipment (PPE) to go to the family’s car to screen children before bringing them into the waiting room, so as not to expose any other susceptible patients,” said Dr. Morrow.

If the child is taken into an exam room, the room will be closed for two hours afterward. Families will be provided with a handout on quarantine and measles information. 

Cook Children’s continues to monitor the cases in the state and will revise protocols as necessary.

Thirty-eight years ago, there was no rapid test. Doctors diagnosed patients based on symptoms.

“We now have better testing,” explained Dr. Morrow.

Now, patients are given a nasal or throat swab, similar to the tests used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample is sent to a lab. While patients await results, Dr. Morrow said families must quarantine.

“Measles virus is one of the most contagious germs on the planet,” said Dr. Morrow. “It would be very easy to spread it to someone whose immune system is not very strong, like a person who has finished chemotherapy, or has heart or lung problems. It would be very dangerous for a premature baby.”

Dr. Phillips understands that parents may have concerns about the science of vaccines and encourages them to discuss these concerns with their pediatricians.

The CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 - 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

“We are here to help them, for them to understand the science and to give them the vaccines that their children need,” Dr. Phillips said.

A native Texan, Dr. Morrow urges people to care for one another. The MMR vaccine provides 93% to 95% protection with one dose and 97% effectiveness with two doses.

She encourages families to have a plan in place if they are unable or reluctant to get the vaccine.

Vaccinations and immunizations

Here are a few resources and tips for finding a place to take your child for immunizations. 

• Check with your child’s doctor. Ask which vaccines are due and make an appointment. If your child needs a doctor, see our locations or call 211 for help. 
• Visit a public health vaccine clinic. Anyone from any county can call Tarrant County Public Health at 817-248-6299 to make an appointment or to find a walk-in clinic. 
• Check with your local school district for vaccine events. 
• Enter your zip code at Vaccines.gov to find other options.