Latest news with #Mr.Crabby
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Health officials sound alarms after Texas measles outbreak spreads to metropolitan area with nearly 100 sick now
Health officials are warning Texas residents about potential exposure to the measles virus, as the infectious disease has spread rapidly across the southern state in one of its largest outbreaks in decades. In San Antonio, the Texas Department of State Health Services said that a possible exposure happened at the University of Texas at San Antonio on February 15. An individual from Gaines County who tested positive for the virus visited the university's main campus, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Mr. Crabby's Seafood and Bar and other tourist locations, officials said. The department said that anyone at those locations in the hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CST and at the restaurant between 6 and 8 p.m. should monitor for symptoms. "Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious complications, especially in young children and individuals with weakened immune systems. If you think you may have been exposed or are showing symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider immediately,' Metro Health Deputy Director Dr. Anita Kurian said in a statement. So far, 99 people have been sickened in the outbreak across Texas and New Mexico, leading to a coordinated response from health authorities who are concerned about how many cases have yet to be detected across the region. Many of the cases have come among unvaccinated people as health officials stress the importance of the vaccine to prevent against the disease that has been eradicated in the U.S. In San Marcos, less than an hour away from San Antonio, a Gaines County resident visited Texas State University and the Twin Peaks Restaurant on February 14. People near the university from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the restaurant from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles, health officials warned. People in those areas during those times or up to two hours later should monitor for symptoms. The Hays County Health Department said that those who may have been exposed will be notified by their local health authority. State agencies are working together to investigate potential contacts. '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,' noted Hays County Local Health Authority Dr. John Turner. As of last Friday - the state's latest update - there were 90 cases reported since January. Sixteen people have been hospitalized and five of the cases were among the vaccinated. Additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area, the Department of State Health Services warned. Of those 90, 57 were in Gaines County. But, the outbreak is no longer just impacting Texas residents. There are now nine cases reported in neighboring New Mexico's Lea County. The majority of cases in both states are in younger people, between the ages of five and 17 years old. Measles, which can survive in the air for up to two hours, can cause serious illness and death. Infections can lead to brain swelling and blindness. And, up to nine out of 10 of those susceptible will get the virus if they have been exposed. The best way to prevent infection is two doses of a vaccine against measles. Clinics have been set up in response to the threat. 'Individuals who have not been vaccinated are at greater risk of infection. To minimize the risk of infection and serious illness, individuals should make sure they are vaccinated,' Turner said.
The Independent
24-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Health officials sound alarms after Texas measles outbreak spreads to metropolitan area with nearly 100 sick now
Health officials are warning Texas residents about potential exposure to the measles virus, as the infectious disease has spread rapidly across the southern state in one of its largest outbreaks in decades. In San Antonio, the Texas Department of State Health Services said that a possible exposure happened at the University of Texas at San Antonio on February 15. An individual from Gaines County who tested positive for the virus visited the university's main campus, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Mr. Crabby's Seafood and Bar and other tourist locations, officials said. The department said that anyone at those locations in the hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CST and at the restaurant between 6 and 8 p.m. should monitor for symptoms. "Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious complications, especially in young children and individuals with weakened immune systems. If you think you may have been exposed or are showing symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider immediately,' Metro Health Deputy Director Dr. Anita Kurian said in a statement. So far, 99 people have been sickened in the outbreak across Texas and New Mexico, leading to a coordinated response from health authorities who are concerned about how many cases have yet to be detected across the region. Many of the cases have come among unvaccinated people as health officials stress the importance of the vaccine to prevent against the disease that has been eradicated in the U.S. In San Marcos, less than an hour away from San Antonio, a Gaines County resident visited Texas State University and the Twin Peaks Restaurant on February 14. People near the university from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the restaurant from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles, health officials warned. People in those areas during those times or up to two hours later should monitor for symptoms. The Hays County Health Department said that those who may have been exposed will be notified by their local health authority. State agencies are working together to investigate potential contacts. '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,' noted Hays County Local Health Authority Dr. John Turner. As of last Friday - the state's latest update - there were 90 cases reported since January. Sixteen people have been hospitalized and five of the cases were among the vaccinated. Additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area, the Department of State Health Services warned. Of those 90, 57 were in Gaines County. But, the outbreak is no longer just impacting Texas residents. There are now nine cases reported in neighboring New Mexico's Lea County. The majority of cases in both states are in younger people, between the ages of five and 17 years old. Measles, which can survive in the air for up to two hours, can cause serious illness and death. Infections can lead to brain swelling and blindness. And, up to nine out of 10 of those susceptible will get the virus if they have been exposed. The best way to prevent infection is two doses of a vaccine against measles. Clinics have been set up in response to the threat. 'Individuals who have not been vaccinated are at greater risk of infection. To minimize the risk of infection and serious illness, individuals should make sure they are vaccinated,' Turner said.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
San Antonio warns of possible measles exposure
The Brief San Antonio officials say there was a possible measles exposure in the city on Feb. 15. The person visited UTSA and the Riverwalk. Since late January, 90 cases of measles have been identified across 7 Texas counties. SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The City of San Antonio is warning residents about a potential exposure to measles earlier this month. The city's Metropolitan Health District released a timeline of the possible exposure, which happened on Feb. 15. Timeline On February 15, 2025, the person visited The University of Texas at San Antonio Main Campus between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. They then went to several attractions on the Riverwalk from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., including the Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not and Ripley's Illusion Lab. They then ate at Mr. Crabby's Seafood and Bar in Live Oak between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. What they're saying "This serves as a strong reminder to encourage our friends and neighbors to stay up to date with their vaccinations. Please remain aware of any symptoms if you believe you may have been exposed," wrote San Antonio Ron Nirenberg on social media. By the numbers The possible measles exposure comes as several cases have been detected in Texas this year. Since late January, 90 cases of measles have been identified across seven counties, with 16 people being hospitalized, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Most of the positive cases have been reported in Gaines County. On Sunday, the Hays County Health Department reported that a Gaines County, about 87 miles southwest of Lubbock, who tested positive for measles took a trip to San Marcos on Feb. 14. Individuals who were at Texas State University from approximately 3 to 7 p.m. and Twin Peaks Restaurant from 6 to 10 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to the individual. Why you should care Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Illness onset (high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes) begins a week or two after someone is exposed. A few days later, the telltale rash breaks out as flat, red spots on the face and then spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body. A person is contagious about four days before the rash appears to four days after. People with measles should stay home from work or school during that period. Common symptoms for measles include: High fever (as high as 105°F) Cough Runny nose Red and watery eyes Tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth 2-3 days after symptoms begin Rash 3-5 days after other signs of illness. The "measles rash" typically starts at the face and then spreads down to the rest of the body. The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles. Some vaccinated people can occasionally develop measles; however, they generally experience milder symptoms and are less likely to spread the disease to other people. If you think you have measles or have been exposed to someone with measles, isolate yourself from others and call your healthcare provider before arriving to be tested so they can prepare for your arrival without exposing other people to the virus. Measles is extremely contagious and can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus. Review your and your child's vaccination history to see if you are up-to-date on your measles vaccines. Additionally, discuss with your provider your vaccination history and any questions about these vaccines. People with confirmed or suspected measles should stay home from school, work, and other group settings until after the fourth day of rash onset. During an outbreak, people without documented immunity from vaccination or previous measles infection should be isolated from anyone with measles to protect those without immunity and control the outbreak. According to the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Rule §97.7, schools and childcare settings shall exclude unimmunized children for at least 21 days after the last date the unimmunized child was exposed to a measles case. The Source Information in this article comes from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, the Hays County Health Department, the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and past FOX reporting.
