DSHS provides update on measles outbreak

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting 124 confirmed cases of measles in the ongoing outbreak in the South Plains and Panhandle regions. DSHS is working with local health departments in that area to investigate cases, provide immunizations where needed, and keep the public informed.

Additionally, DSHS issued a health alert Monday after a person with measles traveled from the outbreak area to San Marcos and San Antonio before they knew they were infected. Measles exposures may have occurred at several public locations during that trip:

Friday, Feb. 14

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Allsup’s Convenience Store, Wall
• 3 to 7 p.m. – Texas State University, San Marcos
• 6 to 10 p.m. – Twin Peaks Restaurant, San Marcos

Saturday, Feb. 15

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – University of Texas at San Antonio Main Campus
• 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and Ripley’s Illusion Lab, San Antonio
• 6 to 10 p.m. – Mr. Crabby’s Seafood, Live Oak

Sunday, Feb. 16

• 9 a.m. to 12 noon – Buc-ee’s, New Braunfels
• 12:30 to 3 p.m. – Allsup’s Convenience Store, Wall

The measles virus can survive in the air for up to two hours, so the times listed include two hours after the individual left that location. Because measles symptoms can begin 7 to 21 days after an exposure, DSHS is sharing this information with health care providers and the public in the area so unvaccinated people may monitor themselves for symptoms and seek testing if symptoms occur.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness, which can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus. Measles can be transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. People who are infected will begin to have symptoms within a week or two after being exposed. Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A few days later, the telltale rash breaks out as flat, red spots on the face and then spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body. A person is contagious about four days before the rash appears to four days after. People who could have measles should stay home during that period.

People who think they have measles or may have been exposed to measles should isolate themselves and call their health care provider before arriving to be tested. It is important to let the provider know that the patient may have measles and to get instructions on how to come to the office for diagnosis without exposing other people to the virus.

The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella or MMR vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine prevent more than 97 percent of measles infections. A small number of vaccinated people can occasionally develop measles. In these cases, the symptoms are generally milder, and they are less likely to spread the disease to other people. DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend children receive one dose of MMR at 12 to 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years. Children too young to be vaccinated are more likely to have severe complications if they get infected with the measles virus. However, each MMR dose lowers the risk of infection and the severity of illness if infected. DSHS encourages people to get vaccinated before the spring and summer travel seasons ramp up.

Health care providers can find recommendations for infection control and diagnostic testing in DSHS health alerts. Providers should report any suspected cases to their local health department immediately, preferably while the patient is still with the provider.

DSHS posts additional information about the outbreak cases on the News & Alerts page on Tuesdays and Fridays.

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(News Media Contact: Lara Anton, DSHS Senior Press Officer, 512-776-7753)