Potential measles publicity in Hays County linked to current San Marcos go to

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Well being officers in Hays County are warning residents a few attainable measles publicity after an individual who examined constructive for the sickness visited San Marcos on Feb. 14.

Based on the Hays County Well being Division, a Gaines County resident who examined constructive for measles was in San Marcos from 3 p.m. to eight p.m. that Friday.

Individuals who have been at Texas State College from roughly 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Twin Peaks Restaurant from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. could also be liable to creating measles.

Matthew Gonzales, the Hays County Well being Division Supervisor, confirmed to KVUE that the contaminated particular person had been vaccinated.

“They have been vaccinated, one dose of the MMR vaccine,” Gonzales stated. 

Serenity LaPointe is a freshman at Texas State and shared her considerations about measles.

“Particularly visiting my household, I may need to place [it] off if I do really feel like I’ve signs,” LaPointe stated. “I am not very in danger, so I do not fear for myself however I do fear for others.”

People who could have been uncovered will probably be notified by their native well being authority, well being officers stated. The Hays County Well being Division, the Texas Division of State Well being Providers and different native well being companies are working collectively to analyze potential contacts.

“Measles is a extremely contagious airborne illness unfold by contact with an contaminated particular person by means of coughing and sneezing. Texas is presently experiencing the biggest outbreak of measles in many years,” stated Hays County Native Well being Authority John Turner, MD. “People who haven’t been vaccinated are at higher threat of an infection. To reduce the chance of an infection and critical sickness, people ought to ensure that they’re vaccinated.”

Ninety p.c of people who find themselves not vaccinated or haven’t had a earlier measles an infection will change into contaminated with the virus.

The well being division will contact people who find themselves identified to have been involved with the one that later examined constructive for measles to supply steerage.

Anybody with any signs is requested to contact their main care supplier, pressing care or an emergency room to arrange an appointment and quarantine for 4 days after the onset of a rash.

Individuals who have been within the attainable publicity places through the specified occasions ought to:

• Assessment their immunization and medical information. Individuals who haven’t had measles or haven’t been vaccinated ought to speak with a well being care supplier about MMR immunization
• Contact their well being care supplier as quickly as attainable a few potential publicity if they’re pregnant, have an toddler or have a weakened immune system, no matter vaccination historical past.
• Monitor themselves for sickness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 4 days to 21 days after publicity.
• If signs develop, keep at house and keep away from college, work and any giant gatherings. Name a well being care supplier instantly. Don’t enter a well being care facility earlier than calling and making them conscious of your measles publicity and signs.

“The Hays County Well being Division is appearing with haste to make sure the readiness and preparedness of associate companies in response to this notification,” stated Hays County Choose Ruben Beccera. “The county has taken nice strides to enhance our response to public well being emergencies. I’m assured that the division will probably be able to minimizing the influence of a possible measles outbreak in our county. I’ll work with the [health] division and Workplace of Emergency Providers to supply extra assets as wanted.”

Measles spreads simply by means of the air when an contaminated particular person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can keep within the air and on surfaces for 2 hours, even after the contaminated particular person has left.

The contaminated particular person can unfold the illness as much as 4 days earlier than a measles rash seems and as much as 4 days after the rash seems.

If different folks breathe the contaminated air or contact the contaminated floor, then contact their eyes, noses or mouths, they’ll change into contaminated.

Widespread signs for measles embody:

• Excessive fever (as excessive as 105 levels)
• Cough
• Runny nostril
• Pink and watery eyes
• Tiny white spots which will seem contained in the mouth two to a few days after signs start
• Rash three to 5 days after different indicators of sickness. The “measles rash” usually begins on the face after which spreads right down to the remainder of the physique.