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Top Stories: Measles Confirmed In Ellis County; Fighting Flu On The Streets

Illustration by Alissa Eckert
/
The U.S. Centers For Disease Control & Prevention
A 3D illustration of the measles virus.

The top local stories this morning from KERA News:

Health officials have confirmed six cases of measles in Ellis County.

According to the Department of State Health Services, the patients were not vaccinated and have connections to Waxahachie and Midlothian. It's possible more cases will occur because of the contagious nature of the disease.

The department has encouraged health care providers and facilities to consider measles as a possible diagnosis in patients with a fever and rash as well as a cough, runny nose or conjunctivitis.

The six cases are the only known cases of measles in Texas so far this year. One case was reported last year.

Other stories this morning:

You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM. 

Former KERA staffer Krystina Martinez was an assistant producer. She produced local content for Morning Edition and KERANews.org. She also produced The Friday Conversation, a weekly series of conversations with North Texas newsmakers. Krystina was also the backup newscaster for the Texas Standard.