The rodeo's barbecue cook-off is already underway, the parade is on Saturday and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo kicks off next week at NRG Park.

HOUSTON — Houston Mayor John Whitmire told KHOU 11 he is confident in the city's ability to swiftly respond to any potential arrival of measles cases as an outbreak in the western part of the state continues to grow.

The main measles outbreak has been in the South Plains region of West Texas, where 124 cases have been confirmed. Most of the cases have been among unvaccinated children, although five people who are vaccinated have been among the cases, according to health officials.

The West Texas measles outbreak continues to see more confirmed cases and, on Wednesday, the outbreak's first death. Weather could play a role.

The news on Wednesday that a Texas child died from the measles is a sign the outbreak that has already infected 124 is dangerous, Dr. Peter Hotez said.

Officials say an individual who tested positive for the virus in West Texas traveled to two major universities and one of the nation's busiest tourist attractions — the San Antonio River Walk.

With a measles outbreak spreading in Texas, health officials are urging Houston residents to check their vaccination status ahead of RodeoHouston, which is expected to draw two million attendees. Experts warn that unvaccinated individuals face the highest risk amid an outbreak in the Texas Panhandle.