Unvaccinated Infant Tests Positive for Measles in Austin

Austin Public Health (APH) has confirmed the first reported case of measles in Travis County since 2019. The case involves an unvaccinated infant who was exposed to the virus during a recent international trip.

Fortunately, the infant’s family members are vaccinated and currently isolating at home, with no expected community exposures linked to this case. Health officials urge residents to protect themselves against this highly contagious and preventable disease.

“With measles now in our community, I urge everyone to ensure they are protected,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “Measles isn’t just a rash—it can cause severe illness, hospitalization, and even death.” The best protection is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which requires two doses for complete immunity. The vaccine is available at doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and APH clinics.

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the virus can remain active on surfaces and in the air for up to two hours, making it highly contagious. Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, rash, red, watery eyes, runny nose, and small white spots inside the mouth and throat.

Certain groups, including young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals, are at higher risk for severe complications. While some cases are mild, measles can cause serious health issues such as ear infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis (brain swelling), which can lead to long-term disability or death.

Although measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, outbreaks still occur due to unvaccinated travelers bringing the virus from abroad. For the latest updates, visit austintexas.gov/measles.

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