Overview
- Austin Public Health confirmed Thursday the county’s first measles case since 2025, involving an unvaccinated man infected during international travel.
- The patient was infectious during a Monday visit to St. David’s Emergency Center from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a window when the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours.
- Health officials are notifying close contacts, and anyone who thinks they were exposed should call a provider, stay home, and watch for fever, cough, and a spreading rash 7 to 14 days after contact.
- Dr. Desmar Walkes warned the virus poses a serious threat to the unvaccinated, especially young children, pregnant people, and those who are immunocompromised.
- The MMR vaccine requires two doses for full protection, with shots available at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and Austin Public Health’s Shots for Tots and Big Shots clinics.