Montgomery County Measles Outbreak Alert
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX – Local and state health officials have issued a public health alert following the confirmation of four cases of measles in Montgomery County. The outbreak, which health authorities linked to international travel by unvaccinated individuals, has triggered an urgent warning for residents to check their immunization status and monitor for symptoms.
The Montgomery County Public Health District (MCPHD) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are leading the investigation into the cluster, which first emerged in March. Because measles is one of the most infectious respiratory diseases known, officials are working to trace contacts and inform the public about potential exposure windows.
Measles is highly transmissible via airborne droplets that can linger in a closed space for up to two hours after an infected person has departed. DSHS officials released a detailed list of locations in The Woodlands and Shenandoah where members of the public may have been exposed between April 20 and April 24.
The identified exposure locations include:
Sam’s Club at 19260 Interstate 45 S, Shenandoah, TX 77385: Saturday, April 20, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Montgomery County Health Department at 2200 South FM 1488, Conroe, TX 77384: Monday, April 22, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital ER at 17200 St. Luke’s Way, The Woodlands, TX 77384: Monday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Tuesday, April 23, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and Wednesday, April 24, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Target at 1100 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380: Monday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
H-E-B at 9595 Six Pines Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380: Tuesday, April 23, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Health experts advise that symptoms typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure. Initial signs often resemble a common cold, including high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. These are followed by the signature blotchy, red rash that begins at the hairline and spreads down the body.
While the majority of people recover, measles can lead to severe health complications, particularly for infants, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Potential risks include pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and, in rare instances, death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists the MMR vaccine as the primary tool to prevent the spread of the virus. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing measles. Residents who are unsure of their vaccination status are encouraged to contact their primary care physician or check their records via the Texas Immunization Registry.
Officials are emphasizing a specific protocol for those who believe they may have been exposed or are currently displaying symptoms: Call your healthcare provider ahead of arrival. By notifying a clinic or emergency room in advance, patients can be directed to separate entrances or isolated waiting areas, preventing further transmission in crowded public spaces.
A person with measles is considered contagious for four days before the rash appears and for four days afterward. Because of this window, health officials are urging the public to remain vigilant.
Residents can find more information about vaccination sites and public health updates by visiting the Montgomery County Public Health District website at mchd-tx.org or the DSHS website at dshs.texas.gov. Any individuals experiencing severe symptoms are encouraged to seek medical attention while maintaining strict isolation protocols.