Austin Public Health (APH) has announced that a person residing in Travis County has been diagnosed with measles.
Health officials have been informing people about a possible measles exposure in various locations during the specified time frames, which may have been exposed due to the person infected with measles.
They have been mounting a coordinated effort to warn people about the possible exposure. One can refer to austintexas.gov/measles to know about the dates and locations of the possible exposure sites.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air droplets of an infected person’s cough or sneeze. Unvaccinated people are at greater risk of catching the infection when they come in close contact with an infected person.
You are immunized and protected if you received two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR vaccine). You are at risk of catching the infection if you received one or no dose of MMR vaccine.
The signs and symptoms of measles include cough, skin rash, runny nose, fever, and watery or sore eyes.
The public health officials advise people to call their PCP immediately if they have been to these locations during these days and time frames before January 1, 2020. Also, they recommended people to call their PCP if they experience any symptoms.
Medical Director for APH Dr. Mark Escott said, “Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease. A small number of cases are capable of quickly producing epidemics. The best way to protect yourself and your family against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases is by immunization.” Kids should receive the first dose of MMR between 12 and 15 months of age and the second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. In the United States, the first dose of MMR vaccine is given at 12 months of age.
