News Summary
Austin Public Health has issued a warning about potential measles exposure linked to a visitor from El Paso. Individuals present at Terry Black’s Barbecue on April 26 may have been exposed. They are advised to monitor for symptoms until May 17 and to seek preventive treatment if unvaccinated. This warning follows an increase in measles cases in Texas, prompting renewed calls for vaccination. Austin Public Health is promoting the MMR vaccine at mobile clinics and fixed locations amid this outbreak.
Austin
Austin Public Health (APH) has issued a warning regarding potential measles exposure linked to an infectious resident from El Paso who visited the city between April 25 and April 27. The public health department confirmed that individuals who were at Terry Black’s Barbecue, located at 1003 Barton Springs Road, on April 26 between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. may have been exposed to the virus.
Those who visited the barbecue during the specified time frame are advised to monitor for symptoms of measles, which can include fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, rash beginning on the face and spreading, and small white spots inside the mouth, until May 17. If symptoms develop, individuals should stay home, avoid contact with others, and consult with their healthcare provider before attempting to seek care at a clinic or hospital.
Unvaccinated individuals, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly urged to contact a healthcare provider immediately for potential preventive treatment.
This warning comes shortly after APH reported another measles case involving a vaccinated resident of Travis County who visited various public locations while infectious. Individuals who were exposed during this instance should monitor their health for symptoms until May 11.
Dr. Desmar Walkes, the health authority for Austin-Travis County, emphasized the importance of vaccination in protecting against measles, underscoring that the MMR vaccine is both safe and effective.
Measles Outbreak in Texas
The situation forms part of a larger measles outbreak in Texas, where the number of confirmed cases has surged to 624 since January, indicating a week-to-week increase of 27 cases. Currently, fewer than 10 of these cases are believed to be infectious, with the contagious period extending four days before and after a rash appears.
The first reported case of measles in Austin this year was linked to a vaccinated infant who contracted the disease while traveling overseas; their family was subsequently quarantined to prevent further spread. A second case involved a vaccinated adult who likely encountered the virus while traveling within the United States and visited numerous public places in Austin during their infectious period.
Austin Public Health is actively providing the MMR vaccine at both mobile clinics and fixed-location sites, encouraging individuals who are unvaccinated or uncertain about their vaccination status to seek immunization. Measles is highly contagious, with an infection rate of 90% among unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus.
Symptoms and Prevention
Measles symptoms typically manifest as flu-like signs, followed by a rash that usually appears 3 to 5 days after the onset of initial symptoms. The measles virus also has the capability to survive on surfaces for up to two hours after an infectious person has vacated the area.
Austin Public Health encourages community members to verify their vaccination status with healthcare providers and to disseminate accurate information about measles to help mitigate further risk. The ongoing outbreak has resulted in 64 hospitalizations and two fatalities among unvaccinated children in Texas as of April 22.
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Additional Resources
- KXAN Austin
- Wikipedia: Measles
- CBS Austin
- Google Search: Austin measles outbreak
- KVUE Austin
- Google Scholar: Measles outbreak Austin Texas
- Austin American-Statesman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Measles
- Star-Telegram
- Google News: Austin measles outbreak
