Second measles case reported in Leander, Williamson health district says
The Williamson County and Cities Health District is reporting a second measles case in Leander. This case involves an unvaccinated adult, who is no longer in the infectious period, and was not in the county when they were infectious. Anyone who might have come in contact with this person is being notified.
It is not clear if this case is related to the first Leander measles case last week. That case involved a school-age child who was infectious between May 15 and May 22. The child's parents were not revealing whether the child had traveled or whether the child had been vaccinated.
'Vaccination is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent the spread of measles and protect our community,' said Dr. Amanda Norwood, Williamson County and Cities Health District's medical director. 'Two doses of the MMR vaccine offer safe, strong, long-lasting protection. Staying up to date not only safeguards your own health but also helps protect infants, older adults, and others who cannot be vaccinated.'
On Tuesday, the Texas Department of State Health services reported 729 measles cases in the West Texas outbreak as well as 24 other cases throughout the state. Those 24 cases include two in Travis County in February and April and one in Hays County this month. The Hays County case had not traveled to an outbreak area, which made community spread a possibility.
"We are waiting, we are being prepared, we are being vigilant," said Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis County public health authority. "We are in communication with our neighboring counties regularly, and we're also in communication with our hospital systems and our health care providers to get them updates.
"Everybody is on high alert and everybody is working together with one voice with let's get people vaccinated, and let's get people who we may identify as suspect cases isolated so we can prevent or contain the spread if it should be a case," Walkes said.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases. It spreads by airborne particles and has a 90% infection rate among unvaccinated people exposed to a person with measles. The virus can live on surfaces for two hours after exposure.
It also has long-term consequences.
"Measles is not just an acute illness," said Dr. Amesh Adalja of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. It causes "immune amnesia," which means people can lose their immune protection against other diseases. They also can develop swelling of the brain and other complications years later.
If you think you may have been in close contact with someone who has measles and are unsure of your immunity status:
Call your healthcare provider or clinic before showing up in person.
Ask your provider if medications or a vaccine is appropriate for you based on your health and vaccination history.
Call your county health department to report your exposure.
Anywhere from seven to 14 days after exposure, initial symptoms may include:
Cough
Runny nose
Conjunctivitis
Usually a fever of 103 to 104
Four days later:
A rash that starts at the head and works its way down the body.
The rash can start as sore spots in the mouth.
Inflammation of the lungs
Pneumonia from a secondary infection
Inflammation of the brain
People born before 1957 are presumed to have immunity because of the amount of measles that was present during that time. People born after that time need to make sure they have been vaccinated with two doses. If you were born between 1957 and 1968, you might not have immunity because the vaccine at the time didn't use a live virus.
Vaccine protection does wane over time. You can get a blood test to check your immunity level to be sure. If you have been pregnant in the last 30 years, you have already had your titer check for rubella, which is in the MMR vaccine, and you would have been told if you did not have immunity.
Children typically are given the first dose of the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella when they are 12 months old. They receive a second dose between 4 and 6 years old.
For vaccinations, contact your primary care provider or go through Austin Public Health or other public health authorities in your county. You can get vaccinated as an adult if you have not been vaccinated previously.
In Williamson County, you can look at www.wcchd.org/measles or call 512- 943-3600 to schedule an appointment.
Austin Public Health offers vaccinations for free or reduced rates for children and adults who are uninsured or underinsured, or don't have Medicaid. The typical cost is $13 for children and $25 for adults. You can call (512) 972-5520 to make an appointment at the clinics at 405 W. Stassney Lane in South Austin or 7500 Blessing Avenue in Northeast Austin.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Leander has second measles case
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