As the West Texas measles outbreak continues to grow, Austin is confirming its first case there.
The Austin-Travis County Health Department says the patient is an unvaccinated infant who got sick while on vacation overseas.
While the person in Rockwall County who has the measles has been released from the hospital Thursday, and health officials shared that their condition is improving. It was confirmed that the patient had recently traveled to Asia and had not been vaccinated.
The Rockwall County Commissioners Court announced on social media Wednesday afternoon that one of its residents has tested positive for measles.
Rockwall County was notified of this by the Department of Social and Health Services on Tuesday. Dr. Dirk Perritt of the Rockwall County Health Authority confirmed that the case involves an adult resident and that all direct contacts of this person were notified for observation.
Their team thoroughly investigated and will continue to monitor this case. Rockwell County officials also said in their announcement that they believed this has no connection to the measles outbreak in West Texas.
According to our media partners NBC5, the adult who contracted measles had traveled internationally and was unvaccinated.
Rockwall County Health Authority shared the following Early Signs and Symptoms:
• Fever: Often high (may exceed 104°F).
• Cough: One of the earliest indicators, alongside a runny nose and sneezing.
• Runny Nose (Coryza): Nasal congestion and discharge are common.
• Red or Irritated Eyes (Conjunctivitis): Eyes may become sensitive to light.
• Koplik Spots: Small white spots that may appear inside the cheeks or on the tongue, usually before the rash.
• Rash: Typically appears 3-5 days after the initial symptoms, beginning on the face and spreading downward to the rest of the body
The measles outbreak in rural West Texas has now reached 124 cases across nine counties, making it the state’s largest in nearly 30 years. Additionally, nine cases have been reported in eastern New Mexico.
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