Latest news with #AmandaNorwood
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Second measles case confirmed in unvaccinated adult in Williamson County
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A second case of measles was confirmed in Williamson County on Tuesday. The case involved an unvaccinated adult resident from Leander, the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) said in a press release. According to officials, the individual is no longer in their infectious period and was not present in the Williamson County area while they were contagious. WCCHD, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), along with local health authorities said it will directly notify individuals who may have been exposed, the release added. All three agencies are actively working together to assess any potential contacts as part of the ongoing public health investigation. 'Vaccination is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent the spread of measles and protect our community, ' said Dr. Amanda Norwood, WCCHD Medical Director. Norwood added 'two doses of the MMR vaccine offer safe, strong, long-lasting protection.' On May 22, KXAN reported Williamson County's first measles case was a school-age child from Leander. Liberty Hill Independent School District had sent a letter to parents informing them that the case involved a 'school-aged child who attended Bar W Elementary School,' KXAN reported. Other counties in Texas have reported cases, including Hays County. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, two cases have been reported in Travis County. More than 720 cases have been confirmed, with cases primarily in the outbreak area in West Texas since late January, DSHS said. If you think you've been exposed, or if you begin to show symptoms, WCCHD advised to contact your healthcare provider before going to a clinic or hospital, to help reduce the risk of exposing others. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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 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
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
First measles case of the year confirmed in Williamson County
LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — A measles case has been confirmed in a school-age child from Leander, marking the first case in Williamson County this year. The child is recovering at home under isolation, the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) said in a press release Thursday. The child was contagious starting May 15 and may continue to be so through May 24, WCCHD said. WCCHD is working with school officials and the Texas Department of State Health Services to notify anyone who may have been exposed. The family has chosen not to share details of the child's vaccination status or recent travel history with health authorities, which limits their ability to fully assess potential exposure risks and determine the infection source, WCCHD said. 'We respect the privacy of families while emphasizing that timely communication is critical in protecting the health of our Williamson County community,' Dr. Amanda Norwood, medical director and health authority for WCCHD, said. 'We strongly urge our neighbors in Williamson County to stay alert and take extra precautions at this time. It's critical to recognize the early signs of measles and act quickly to protect your family and those around you.' If you think you may have been exposed, or if you begin to show symptoms, WCCHD said to call your health care provider before going to a clinic or hospital, as calling ahead allows staff to take precautions to keep others safe. With federal cuts, Austin could be 'underprepared' for significant measles outbreak Health professionals stress the best way to protect from measles is to stay up to date on vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine: one at the age of 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years old. Adults unsure of their vaccination status should contact their healthcare provider. More counties across Texas have reported cases in recent weeks, including Hays County earlier this week. Two cases have been reported in Travis County. More than 720 cases have been tied to an outbreak in West Texas since January, according to DSHS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
