Travis County measles case update: What to know about possible exposure.
The adult who became Travis County's second confirmed measles case of the year traveled in and out of the state on an airplane, local officials said Monday.
Dr. Desmar Walkes with the Austin-Travis County Health Authority said contact tracers with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of State Health Services are contacting passengers who were on the same plane as the agencies work to determine where the Travis County-based adult contracted the highly contagious virus and if they could have spread it.
The person is only experiencing mild symptoms because they had received the measles vaccine, Walkes said.
'Those who are unvaccinated face severe symptoms that could lead to hospitalization and even death," Walkes, also the medical director for Austin Public Health, said at a news conference.
Measles poses such a high risk because 90% of people who are unvaccinated or do not have natural immunity will contract the virus if exposed to it. Two doses of the vaccine gives a person about 97% protection, according to Austin Public Health.
The first confirmed measles case to crop up in Austin this year was an unvaccinated infant who was exposed to the virus while traveling overseas, officials said in February. Children must be at least 1 year old to receive the vaccine.
The two measles cases are the first in Travis County since 2019 and come amid an ongoing outbreak in West Texas.
Local health officials have said the adult who contracted the virus visited several public places around the city earlier this month that are now considered exposure locations.
They include:
An office building at 300 Colorado St., from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16.
Maaribu coffee shop, 1413 South First St., from 8:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 17.
Curra's restaurant, 614 E. Oltorf St., from 5:45 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17.
Starbucks, 1920 E. Riverside Drive from 10:08 a.m. to 12:08 p.m. Friday, April 18.
UPS Store, 2407 S. Congress Ave, Suite E, from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, April 19.
Hestia restaurant, 607 W. Third St., No. 105, from 5:45-11 p.m. Saturday, April 19.
Walgreens, 1920 E. Riverside Drive, Building B, from 8:45 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 20.
Pueblo Viejo restaurant, 2410 E. Riverside Drive, Suite H-8, from 8:45 a.m. to noon, Sunday, April 20.
CareNow Urgent Care, 1920 E. Riverside Drive, Suite A110, from 8 a.m. to noon, Sunday, April 20.
Walkes said anyone who was present at the locations at the listed times should contact their healthcare provider to discuss possible exposure and monitor themselves for symptoms through May 11. Anyone who does not have a provider can call 512-972-5555 to be connected to care.
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, rash, watery eyes, runny nose and small white spots inside the mouth and throat.
Austin Public Health is continuing to provide the measles vaccine (MMR vaccines: measles, mumps and rubella) at its mobile clinics, as well as brick and mortar locations.
'Vaccination is the best defense against this highly contagious and deadly disease,' Mayor Kirk Watson said at the Monday news conference.
Adults who have not been vaccinated previously can receive the MMR vaccine. A first dose provides about 93% protection after two weeks and a second dose provides about 97% protection.
Staff reporter Nicole Villalpando contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin-area measles case update: What to know about possible exposure.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Local businesses, organizations come together to host tornado relief event
Several local businesses and organizations came together at the Laurel-London Optimist Club June 1 to provide free items to tornado-affected residents of Laurel County. The "London Community Tornado Relief Event" was made possible by David Byrd of All American Events, Melanie Hester of American Scrub Company and Kaitlyn Floyd on her own behalf. Hester said the goal of the event was to "bring joy to the kids and families in the community." "With all the heartbreak right now, I just think this is so needed," Floyd added. At her booth, Floyd sold t-shirts made by Harlan-based business Shirt Shack Screen Printing. Funds raised by the t-shirt sales will go toward supporting families impacted by the May 16 tornado. Floyd said Martin's Peterbilt is matching the amount raised, doubling the profit. Raffles additionally took place with donations from businesses in the community. Also among those hosting booths were Hoss Auto Sales and Family Health Care Associates who collaborated to provide an array of items needed by those affected at this time including tarps, toiletries, basic hygiene products, snacks, beverages, and pet food. Working the booth were Vanessa Watson and Faith Vaught with Family Health Care Associates, as well as Steve and Kaylee Watson with the auto shop. Alesha Staley was present on behalf of Second Mile Behavioral Health to send the message that their therapists can help tornado survivors with the trauma they may have from the recent storm. "Our therapists stay pretty booked but when the tornado hit and we knew there would likely be an increase in needs, they started opening up more availability," said Staley. Reach the mental health service at (606) 657-5504. Southern Sips & Sweets, Kendra's Shaved Ice, and the Mom and Daughter Shop provided cool treats on the warm day. While the Mom and Daughter Shop no longer has a home, owner BJ Cromer is selling ice-cream to raise funds for her grandson, Liam Brown, who has cancer. At the event however, Cromer gave out free ice cream while accepting donations toward Liam. Additional booths included the North Laurel Middle School's girls basketball team, the U.S. Army, McDonald's, Love at First Bite, Somerset Community College, and Senture. Children at the event gravitated to the inflatables provided by All American Events, a local service ran by Byrd and Austin Schaser which handles inflatable rentals. Us and Sometimes Joe, a band made up of London natives, also performed as community members visited booths. The event served as a testament to the community's resilience.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Third case of measles in Iowa this year reported by HHS
DES MOINES, Iowa — On Wednesday afternoon Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it's confirmed a third case of measles in the state this year. Iowa HHS said the case was confirmed in an unvaccinated child in eastern Iowa. The child was exposed to the virus during international travel. According to Iowa HHS, the child did visit different public areas in eastern Iowa while contagious, including a Costco, Walmart, and Marshalls. To learn more about those locations visit the HHS website. A new rhino is calling Blank Park Zoo home On Tuesday, HHS reported the second confirmed measles case in the state. The case also occurred in eastern Iowa in a vaccinated adult male, however HHS said that the cases confirmed so far are not related. As of Wednesday, there have been three confirmed cases of measles in Iowa. The first case was reported in May in an unvaccinated adult female in central Iowa. Measles is a highly contagious, and potentially deadly disease. According to HHS the most effective way to prevent the disease is through the MMR vaccine. To learn more about the disease, vaccine, and symptoms visit the HHS website. Iowa News: Iowa governor rejects GOP bill to increase regulations of Summit's carbon dioxide pipeline Third case of measles in Iowa this year reported by HHS Greene County growing diversity with Multicultural Family Resource Center Another grooming arrest for Indianola man who had EMT license suspended Hot today with slight storm chances ahead Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Alabama Dept. of Public Health reports no measles detected after investigation
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has determined that the unvaccinated person being investigated in Lee County, Alabama, does not have measles. The ADPH says that due to the extremely contagious risk of measles in unvaccinated people, they regularly launch investigations on suspected cases to ensure that vulnerable and potentially exposed people are informed and protected. 'This investigation began on Saturday afternoon. I appreciate the quick response of the ADPH on call team to ensure that all the response elements were in place, in order to protect Alabama.' ADPH Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Landers said. 'While ADPH has determined that this is not a case of measles, I urge all Alabamians to be vigilant in ensuring that eligible persons are up to date on the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. High rates of MMR vaccine in our state will protect our children, our families, and our citizens from this severe and deadly disease.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.