Editor’s Note: A video previously attached to this article has been removed because it contained an error about the location of the infected person.
HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Multiple health departments across Central Texas have reported measles exposures linked to the Gaines County outbreak, according to the Texas Department of State and Health Services.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. It can stay in the air and on surfaces for two hours, even after the infected person has left.
“At this moment, we’re asking members of the public who are exposed to the individual just to isolate if they haven’t received a dose of the MMR vaccine or haven’t received measles in the past,” said Matthew Gonzales, the Hays County Health Department manager.
According to the department, a Gaines County resident with measles visited San Marcos on Feb. 14 from 3 to 8 p.m. The adult was part of a tour group at Texas State University. About 60 people were part of the tour. Following their trip to Hays County, they traveled south to San Antonio.
Possible exposure sites included:
Friday, Feb. 14
- 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
Individuals who may have been exposed are expected to be notified by their local health authority. The health department plans to do thorough contact tracing, prioritizing high-risk contacts.
“Right now, obviously, we want to take it seriously. We’ve seen the Gaines County measles outbreak really explode,” Gonzales said.
A measles outbreak that started in Gaines County has now spread to seven counties. Since late January, 90 people have become infected and 16 have been hospitalized. Of those infected, only five were vaccinated, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
HCHD said the infected adult had one dose of the MMR vaccine, which makes it less likely that measles spread to others.
“Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Texas is currently experiencing the largest outbreak of measles in decades,” said Hays County Local Health Authority John Turner, MD.
HCHD said people at the above locations during the specified times should:
- Review immunization and medical records to determine if they are protected against measles infection
- Contact health care provider as soon as possible about a potential exposure if they are pregnant, have an infant, or have a weakened immune system regardless of vaccination history
- Monitor illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from four days to 21 days after exposure
- If symptoms develop, stay at home and avoid school, work and any large gatherings. Call a healthcare provider immediately. Do not enter a health care facility before calling and making them aware of your measles exposure and symptoms.
“The Hays County Health Department is acting with haste to ensure the readiness and preparedness of partner agencies in response to this notification,” said Hays County Judge Ruben Beccera. “The county has taken great strides to improve our response to public health emergencies. I am confident that the department will be capable of minimizing the impact of a potential measles outbreak in our county.”
