A Travis County adult is currently in isolation after testing positive for measles, as announced by officials from Austin Public Health (APH) on Friday. This marks the second confirmed case of the virus in the area this year, raising concerns about potential outbreaks in the community.
According to APH representatives, the individual may have been exposed to the measles virus during recent travel within the United States. The patient visited a state outside of Texas that is currently experiencing a significant rise in measles cases, as noted by APH spokesperson William Malm.
Interestingly, the infected individual was reportedly vaccinated against measles, a disease known for its high contagion rate and severe complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine provide approximately 97% protection against the virus. Dr. Desmar Walkes, the health authority for Austin-Travis County, emphasized, “While a vaccinated person can still get measles, they are more likely to experience mild symptoms and are less likely to spread it.”
Dr. Walkes further highlighted the highly contagious nature of measles, stating, “We consider measles to be one of the most contagious viruses we know and getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself.” She also advised individuals who are vaccinated to consult with their healthcare providers about the potential need for a booster dose, especially in light of the current outbreak.
Austin Public Health has released a list of locations where the infected individual may have exposed others to the virus. These locations include:
Office building at 300 Colorado St., Wednesday, April 16 Maaribu Coffee Shop, 1413 S. First St., Thursday, April 17, 8:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Curra’s Restaurant, 614 E. Oltorf St., Thursday, April 17, 5:45 – 9:30 p.m. Starbucks at 1920 E. Riverside Drive, Friday, April 18, 10:08 a.m. - 12:08 p.m. UPS Store, 2407 S. Congress Ave., Suite E, Saturday, April 19, 1 – 5 p.m. Hestia Restaurant, 607 W. Third St., 105, Saturday, April 19, 5:45 – 11 p.m. Walgreens, 1920 E. Riverside Drive, Bldg. B, Sunday, April 20, 8:45 – 12 p.m. Pueblo Viejo Restaurant, 2410 E. Riverside Drive, Suite H-8, Sunday, April 20, 8:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. CareNow, 1920 E. Riverside Drive, Suite A110, Sunday, April 20, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.APH stated that additional locations may be added to this list as contact tracing efforts continue. Individuals who were at these locations during the specified times should monitor for symptoms such as rash, cough, and fever until May 11.
People who are pregnant and unvaccinated, as well as those who are generally immunocompromised, and who visited these locations during those times, are advised to contact their healthcare providers immediately for guidance.
It’s important to note that in late February, APH reported a measles case involving an unvaccinated infant who contracted the virus while traveling internationally. No further exposures were reported following that incident. Meanwhile, a significant measles outbreak is ongoing in West Texas, where over 600 individuals have tested positive this year, with 64 of those cases resulting in hospitalization. The Texas Department of State Health Services has indicated that the majority of these cases involve individuals who were unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination statuses.
