Potential measles exposure in Hays County linked to recent San Marcos visit

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Health officials in Hays County are warning residents about a possible measles exposure after a person who tested positive for the illness visited San Marcos on Feb. 14.

According to the Hays County Health Department, a Gaines County resident who tested positive for measles was in San Marcos from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. that Friday.

People who were at Texas State University from approximately 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Twin Peaks Restaurant from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles.

Matthew Gonzales, the Hays County Health Department Manager, confirmed to KVUE that the infected person had been vaccinated.

“They were vaccinated, one dose of the MMR vaccine,” Gonzales said. 

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

“Especially visiting my family, I might have to put [it] off if I do feel like I have symptoms,” LaPointe said. “I’m not very at risk, so I don’t worry for myself but I do worry for others.”

Individuals who may have been exposed will be notified by their local health authority, health officials said. The Hays County Health Department, the Texas Department of State Health Services and other local health 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,” said Hays County Local Health Authority John Turner, MD. “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.”

Ninety percent of people who are not vaccinated or have not had a previous measles infection will become infected with the virus.

The health department will contact people who are known to have been in contact with the person who later tested positive for measles to provide guidance.

Anyone with any symptoms is asked to contact their primary care provider, urgent care or an emergency room to set up an appointment and quarantine for four days after the onset of a rash.

People who were in the possible exposure locations during the specified times should:

• Review their immunization and medical records. People who have not had measles or have not been vaccinated should talk with a health care provider about MMR immunization
• Contact their health care provider as soon as possible about a potential exposure if they are pregnant, have an infant or have a weakened immune system, regardless of vaccination history.
• Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from four days to 21 days after exposure.
• If symptoms develop, stay at home and avoid school, work and any large gatherings. Call a health care provider immediately. Do not enter a health care facility before calling and making them aware of your measles exposure and symptoms.

“The Hays County Health Department is acting with haste to ensure the readiness and preparedness of partner agencies in response to this notification,” said Hays County Judge Ruben Beccera. “The county has taken great strides to improve our response to public health emergencies. I am confident that the department will be capable of minimizing the impact of a potential measles outbreak in our county. I will work with the [health] department and Office of Emergency Services to offer additional resources as needed.”

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.

Common symptoms for measles include:

• High fever (as high as 105 degrees)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red and watery eyes
• Tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin
• Rash three to five days after other signs of illness. The “measles rash” typically starts at the face and then spreads down to the rest of the body.