Current Public Health Situations

Current Public Health Situations

Current Situations

The Hays County Health Department was notified about the potential for exposure of residents to a person who tested positive for measles by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The Gaines County resident visited San Marcos on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, from 3 to 8 p.m.

About Measles

What is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Measles can have serious complications, especially for babies and young children, such as hospitalization, pneumonia, and even death.

How does measles spread?

Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for two hours, even after the infected person has left. The infected person can spread the disease up to four days before a measles rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.

How do I protect myself and others against measles?

Measles can be prevented with a measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR or MMRV). The MMR vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps and rubella. The MMRV vaccine protects against four diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). They are administered in two doses and are highly effective: two doses are 97% effective against measles and one dose is 93% effective.

The spread of measles can be prevented if two-dose coverage of vaccine remains at 95% or above in the community.

Measles is highly contagious. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected (not vaccinated or previous infection).

Symptom Monitoring

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.

Exposure Self-Report Form

Measles Health and Risk Information

About the MMR Vaccine

The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection and is recommended for children and unvaccinated adults.

Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine - one at 12-15 months and another at 4-6 years - while older children and adults may need one or two doses if not already immune. Your health provider can help determine how many doses you need.

Most people who are vaccinated with MMR will be protected for life.

Individuals who were exposed and who were born in Texas, but do not have their vaccinations can contact the health department to see if their immunizations are within IMMTRAC, the state immunization registry. Individuals seeking their record can email their contact information to HCHDImmunizations@hayscountytx.gov.

Health Information for the Public
If you develop symptoms and suspect you may have measles:
Isolate yourself and CALL a healthcare provider BEFORE visiting a clinic.

This can be anywhere from your primary care provider (PCP), an urgent care, or the emergency room (ER).
Seek care based on the severity of your symptoms (i.e., if experiencing severe symptoms, go to the ER).

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

What groups are highest risk?
Measles can be serious in all age groups.
However, there are several groups that are more likely to suffer from measles complications :

All individuals who are not vaccinated or have not had a previous measles infection
Children younger than 5 years of age
Adults older than 20 years of age
Pregnant people
People with weakened immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection
Health Information for Medical Providers
The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection and is recommended for children and unvaccinated adults.

Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine - one at 12-15 months and another at 4-6 years - while older children and adults may need one or two doses if not already immune.

Most people who are vaccinated with MMR will be protected for life.

Please reference the following website for CDC recommendations for medical providers:

https://www.cdc.gov/pinkbook/hcp/table-of-contents/chapter-13-measles.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/meas.html