Measles alert in Texas

Washington, Aug 19 (IANS) Health authorities in the US state of Texas have issued a measles alert due to a sharp increase in the number of cases this year.

About a dozen people have been confirmed to have measles in Texas so far this year, Xinhua cited the Houston Chronicle as saying.

Texas had reported six cases of measles in 2011, while there were no cases in 2012.

Given the alarming rise, health officials urged immunization and asked health care providers to watch out for potential exposure and patients with measles symptoms.

Measles spreads through contact with an infected person, through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. The disease is highly contagious.