Health officials in Montgomery and Galveston counties reported one case of measles each Monday, Feb. 4, adding to three existing cases that were reported in northwest Harris County.

According to Montgomery County officials, a 2-year-old girl is recovering from the disease. They also confirmed to ABC13 Eyewitness News that this case is connected to one of the Harris County cases, but details of the connection were not immediately disclosed.

Galveston County Health District also confirmed a case involving a boy whose age ranges from 12 to 24 months old. The child was tested Jan. 28, and officials said the case is part of a cluster in the region.

Earlier Monday, Feb. 4, Harris County Public Health said two boys under the age of two and a woman age 25 to 35 years old were diagnosed with the measles. All three patients live in northwest Harris County.

The city of Houston last reported a confirmed case of measles in Harris County in 2018.

Measles is a highly contagious virus spread through direct contact or through the air.

Symptoms include a high fever, coughing, runny nose and watery, red eyes between seven and 14 days after infection, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

These latest cases in Texas come as other parts of the country battle an outbreak.

Last month, the number of confirmed cases near Portland grew to 31.

Health officials are encouraging everyone to protect themselves from the virus by being vaccinated.

From ABC 13